Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi enter this version on the back of an uncharacteristic campaign in 2025 that ended in the group stage. It had by no means occurred earlier than as Zalmi – counted as one of the vital constant groups in the PSL – made it to the playoffs in all 9 editions and performed three consecutive finals in 2017 (champions), 2018, and 2019. They have made numerous modifications to their squad from the final season. Their captaincy, nonetheless, stays with Babar Azam, who was retained for PKR 70 million and has been on the helm since he joined them in 2023.
Best end result: Champions (2017)
2025 end: Fifth
Strengths
Their all-round core in Aaron Hardie (direct signing), Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Aamer Jamal will assist them stability their XI. They can name up the companies of Hardie and Jamal at a high-scoring Lahore, and might play Bracewell and Ahmed at spin-friendly Karachi.
They even have a really robust contingent of Pakistan’s younger gamers who’ve been making waves in the pathways and home cricket. Abdul Subhan and Ali Raza had been spectacular on the Under-19 World Cup and Farhan Yousaf, their captain in that match, put noteworthy scores in the current National T20 Cup in Peshawar. They even have Abdul Samad, who made his ODI debut earlier in the month, and Sufiyan Muqeem in their ranks.
Weaknesses
Zalmi’s batting technique has revolved round Babar as his anchoring skills allowed the ability hitters round him to go berserk. He endured a tough 2025 in which he mustered solely 288 runs, the bottom for him in a season because the inaugural version when he performed solely two matches. Babar was atypical in the T20 World Cup, he was dropped for Pakistan’s remaining sport, and all eyes might be on his T20 type as soon as once more.
Zalmi could have to rejig their plans – quick bowling in explicit – as their three Bangladesh gamers in Tanzid Hasan, Nahid Rana, and Shoriful Islam may go away the match halfway for a white-ball collection towards New Zealand that begins from April 17.
Islamabad United
Islamabad United had an ideal begin to their campaign final season – successful their first 5 matches – and appeared on course to turn out to be the second aspect to defend the PSL title. But, they crashed and burned halfway and misplaced 4 consecutive matches earlier than successful the final group stage contest, which put them in second place on the factors desk. They, nonetheless, failed to discover their type in the Qualifiers 1 and a pair of. Their lack of type was blamed on the fixed tinkering of the taking part in XI, which was due to niggles and rotation coverage. United have probably the most wins (61) in PSL historical past and likewise the very best win-loss ratio of 1.22.
Best end result: Champions (2016, 2018, 2024)
2025 end: Qualifier 2
Strengths
A flexible tempo assault. Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad, Richard Gleeson, Mohammad Hasnain and Faheem Ashraf carry their idiosyncrasies and might function with the brand new and outdated ball. Mirza, Hasnain, and Faheem can swing the brand new ball and deploy offcutters, whereas Gleeson and Irshad are recognized for their means to nail yorkers in the latter half.
The return of Ashraf permits them an additional fast-bowling choice together with a hard-hitting left-hand batter who could be moved across the order. That Ashraf has been in good type not too long ago is one other benefit.
Weaknesses
Their spin bowling appears gentle as Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, who final performed any cricket in January, aren’t the bowlers they as soon as had been, and Mehran Mumtaz, the opposite common spinner, took solely three wickets in 4 matches in the current National T20 Cup.
Sahibzada Farhan, the highest scorer of the final season, Alex Hales, Rassie van der Dussen, Salman Ali Agha, and Azam Khan have moved on. Moulding a brand new batting line-up in accordance to United’s ultra-aggressive strategies could be a problem.
