LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam was on Monday named captain of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 Team of the Tournament after leading his side to a drought-breaking title and finishing as the competition’s top run-scorer.

The team, announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was selected by a five-member panel from the league’s commentary team following the conclusion of the 44-match event, held in Lahore and Karachi from March 26 to May 3.

Babar, who registered his first PSL title as captain and third overall, amassed 588 runs while opening the batting to claim the Hanif Mohammad cap. He also equalled Fakhar Zaman’s record for the most runs in a single PSL season and struck two centuries during the tournament.

The Team of the Tournament features three players each from champions Peshawar Zalmi and runners-up Hyderabad Kings­men, two apiece from Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad Uni­ted, and one each from Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.

Zalmi’s Kusal Mendis was named wicket-keeper after scoring 550 runs, including a century and four half-centuries, along with effecting eight dismissals. Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who claimed 22 wickets at an average of 14.40, was also included after being adjudged player of the tournament.

Hyderabad Kingsmen are represented by Usman Khan, who scored 389 runs, all-rounder Hassan Khan and emerging pacer Hunain Shah. Hunain picked up 17 wickets in 10 matches and emerged as one of the standout performers in the latter stages of the competition.

From Lahore Qalandars, Fakhar (401 runs) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (16 wickets) were selected, while Multan Sultans’ Shan Masood secured a place after scoring 367 runs at an average of 45.87.

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan was included for his all-round performances, scoring 173 runs and taking 17 wickets, while his team-mate, pacer Richard Gleeson, also made the side after claiming 12 wickets.

Quetta Gladiators’ Hasan Nawaz was named 12th player following his tally of 291 runs.

Meanwhile, the PCB also announced the Emerging Team of the Tournament, comprising young domestic players who impressed during the season.

Islamabad United’s Sameer Minhas, who scored 349 runs, headlines the side alongside Quetta Gladiators’ Shamyl Huss­ain and Hyderabad Kingsmen’s Maaz Sadaqat. Karachi Kings wicket-keeper-batter Saad Baig was also included.

Pakistan U-19 captain Farhan Yousuf, Peshawar Zalmi pacer Ali Raza — who claimed the tournament’s only hat-trick — and Multan Sultans’ Moha­mmad Ismail form part of the bowling attack, alongside Lahore Qalandars’ Ubaid Shah and Multan’s Momin Qamar. Hunain also features in the emerging side, while Saad Masood was named for his all-round abilities.

Lahore Qalandars’ Moham­mad Farooq was named 12th player in the emerging category.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026