LAHORE: Eight players, including captain and vice-captain, who were selected in the Pakistan team for the forthcoming T20 home series against Bangladesh, could not find a place in the best 12 players included in the HBL Pakistan Super League X team announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain of victorious Lahore Qalandars team, who was selected as captain of the PSL team, could not earn a place in the national squad.

Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha and his deputy Shadab Khan are not included in the PSL team.

Other national team players, who failed to get a place in the PSL team include pacers Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Naseem Shah, all-rounder Hussain Talat, and batters Saim Ayub and Irfan Khan.

Former Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were overlooked for the Bangladesh T20 series, could not get a place in the PSL X team too.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led Lahore Qalandars to their third title in four years in PSL last night, has been named captain of the Team of HBL PSL X. The team was selected by the esteemed members of the commentary team,” the PCB announced on Monday.

“Shaheen, not only claimed the Fazal Mahmood Cap for finishing as the highest wicket-taker – 19 dismissals in 13 matches, but also leads a team that features two of his Qalandars team-mates. Sikandar Raza (11 matches, 254 runs, 10 wickets) and Fakhar Zaman (13 matches, 439 runs) earned their places on the back of stellar performances in the tournament,” the PCB added.

Quetta Gladiators – the runners-up of this year’s PSL — are also represented in the PSL X team by three players. They include Hasan Nawaz, who was also adjudged best batter of the tournament (12 matches, 399 runs), all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (12 matches, 163 runs, 17 wickets) and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed (12 matches, 17 wickets).

Karachi Kings’ captain David Warner (11 games, 368 runs) along with team-mates James Vince (11 matches, 378) and pacer Hasan Ali (10 matches, 17 wickets) are also part of PSL X team. Their team-mate Khushdil Shah (11 matches, 253 runs, seven wickets) is the 12th man.

Islamabad United’s Sahibzada Farhan, who earned the Hanif Mohammad Cap for leading the run charts with 449 runs in 12 matches, is the sole representative from his side.

Completing the line-up is Pesha­war Zalmi’s fast bowler Ali Raza, who took 12 wickets in nine matches.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2025