Peshawar Zalmi, epitome of consistency at HBL PSL

The 2017 HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Peshawar Zalmi are an epitome of consistency and in the game’s most unpredictable format,T20,Zalmi have been consistently so good that they have topped the points table on two occasions and played the final as many times in the mega event.

Zalmi were the best team at the end of the group stage in the first two HBL PSLs. In the 2016 edition, they failed to qualify for the final after losing both the Qualifier and Eliminator, but lifted the trophy in 2017 when they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the historic HBL PSL final in Lahore, according to an analysis carried out here on Wednesday.

In 2018, just when it seemed they would not make it to the playoffs, Zalmi bounced back with four wins in a row and qualified for the final against Islamabad United in Karachi. Even though they lost the match, Zalmi gave United a run for their money when they took 6 wickets for 20 runs while defending a target of 149.

With 19 wins out of 33 completed matches, Zalmi’s success percentage (57.57) is second only to the United (59.37). The two-time ICC T20 World Cup winning captain Daren Sammy’s spirited leadership has been a vital cog in Zalmi’s consistent success in the HBL PSL. Sammy took over the leadership duties from Shahid Afridi and led the team to a title victory in his first year as captain in 2017.

The all-rounder from St Lucia also has the highest batting strike-rate of 182.75 for any batsman in the HBL PSL’s short history. He is likely to lead them in the fourth HBL PSL too.

The Zalmi this season have also picked the two-time HBL PSL winning captain Misbah-ul-Haq in the diamond category.

The 44-year-old has not played a T20 match since the last PSL, but two months ago scored 91 and 44 not out for SNGPL in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in Karachi. Knowing that he is the most successful Test captain of Pakistan, his experience will be a big draw for the Zalmi this tournament.

Another big name that has moved to Zalmi for the fourth HBL is the world’s most capped T20 player Kieron Pollard.The West Indian allrounder comes in the tournament with an experience of 444 T20 matches and is known for his big-hitting as reflect- ed by 560 sixes he has hit in 20 overs cricket. He played the last two seasons for Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings.

The Zalmi also have the bragging rights for producing the most successful bowler and batsman in the HBL PSL.

The left-arm speedster Wahab Riaz is the bowler who has played a big role in making Zalmi a highly competitive team. Wahab has 48 wickets at an economy of 6.75 and is aiming to become the first to reach halfcentury of wickets in the HBL PSL.

“I am very excited for the fourth edition. It is a very important tournament for me.I have always performed in the HBL PSL and being the leading wicket-taker there is an additional pressure on me. So, obviously your team and people are expecting a lot from you”, said Wahab.