Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi enter this version behind an uncharacteristic campaign in 2025 that ended in the group stage. It had by no means occurred earlier than as Zalmi – counted as probably the most 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 a lot of adjustments 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 outcome: Champions (2017)
2025 end: Fifth
Strengths
- Their all-spherical core in Aaron Hardie (direct signing), Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Aamer Jamal will assist them steadiness their XI. They can name up the companies of Hardie and Jamal at a excessive-scoring Lahore, and may play Bracewell and Ahmed at spin-pleasant Karachi.
Weaknesses
- Zalmi’s batting technique has revolved round Babar as his anchoring talents allowed the facility 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 for the reason that inaugural version when he performed solely two matches. Babar was abnormal in the T20 World Cup, he was dropped for Pakistan’s ultimate recreation, and all eyes will probably be on his T20 type as soon as once more.
Islamabad United
Islamabad United had an ideal begin to their campaign final season – successful their first 5 matches – and appeared heading in the right direction to grow to be the second facet 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 couple 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 essentially the most wins (61) in PSL historical past and in addition one of the best win-loss ratio of 1.22.
Best outcome: Champions (2016, 2018, 2024)
2025 end: Qualifier 2
Strengths
- A flexible tempo assault. Salman Mirza, Salman Irshad, Richard Gleeson, Mohammad Hasnain and Faheem Ashraf convey their idiosyncrasies and may function with the brand new and outdated ball.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 identified for their capacity to nail yorkers in the latter half.
Weaknesses
- Their spin bowling appears to be like mild as Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, who final performed any cricket in January, usually are not the bowlers they as soon as have been, and Mehran Mumtaz, the opposite common spinner, took solely three wickets in 4 matches in the latest National T20 Cup.
