PCB announces PSL 2021 Team of the Tournament, Mohammad Rizwan named captain

The 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is done and dusted, and Multan Sultans have emerged winners. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs in the final clash to get their hands on the prestigious title. It was indeed a hard-fought win for the Sultans as all the six participating teams played some quality cricket throughout the tournament. As a result, we saw several jaw-dropping knocks and many astonishing bowling spells.

Honouring the star performers of the season, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on June 25, announced the team of PSL 2021. The elite XI features three players each from Islamabad United and Multan Sultans, two players each from Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi, and one Karachi Kings player. Hence, no player from the Quetta Gladiators, who finished the league stage at last position, could make it to this list.

Starting from the openers, Peshawar Zalmi’s Hazratullah Zazai was selected alongside Karachi Kings’ Babar Azam, who also was the tournament’s highest run-getter. Both these batsmen played several impressive innings this season and took their respective sides to playoffs. Islamabad United’s Colin Munro and Multan Sultans’ Sohaib Maqsood are next in the order.

These dashers just didn’t showcase their big-hitting prowess but also delivered consistently. Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan has been named the wicket-keeper as well as the captain of this illustrious line-up. Rizwan was brilliant both in front and behind the stumps, and his on-field decisions also proved to be spot on. Islamabad United swashbuckler Asif Ali also found a place in this team.

Wahab Riaz, Rashid Khan feature in PSL 2021’s team of the tournament

Ali played troubled several prominent bowlers in the tournament as the United dominated the league stages. T20 talismans Wahab Riaz of Peshawar Zalmi and Rashid Khan of Lahore Qalandars are next in the line-up. Both of them led the bowling attack of their respective team and delivered several match-winning performances. Not to forget, the duo also contributed with their big-hitting prowess at times.

Pace trio of Islamabad United’s Hasan Ali, Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Afridi, and Multan Sultans’ Shahnawaz Dahani occupy the remaining slots in the XI. These fast bowlers took wickets regularly and were also miser in leaking runs. Notably, Lahore Qalandars’ James Faulkner was named the 12th man of the team thanks to some of his impressive outings in the tournament.

PSL 2021 Team of the Tournament: Hazratullah Zazai, Babar Azam, Colin Munro, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Asif Ali, Wahab Riaz, Rashid Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, James Faulkner (12th man)