Franchise cricket is a platform for youngsters to showcase their talents. Some legendary players do not agree with this statement as they think that these cricket leagues are harming the pure form of cricket. Some may agree with their views, while others may not. The franchise cricket leagues indeed help the youngsters come out, and they reignite the energy of experienced players to turn around their poor form. Many good fast bowlers have emerged from different countries, and Pakistan is one of the countries that have given the best fast bowlers to the world. The following list shows the top ten cricketers with the highest wickets in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history.
1. Wahab Riaz
Wahab Riyaz has picked up the most wickets in the Pakistan Super League history. The left-arm fast bowler made his PSL debut in the inaugural edition in 2016 and has played 67 T20 matches, taking 94 wickets at 7.3 runs per over with a bowling average of 19. Riaz’s best bowling figures in PSL are 4/17 and represented only one franchise in PSL, Peshawar Zalmi.
2. Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali sits at the second position on this list. Ali has represented Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in his PSL career that began in 2016. He has been a part of 55 PSL matches and took 72 wickets at 7.3 runs per over with a bowling average of 20. Ali’s best bowling performance in his PSL career is 4/15.
3. Faheem Ashraf
Faheem Ashraf made his first appearance in the Pakistan Super League in 2018 and has since represented Islamabad United. The all-rounder has played 39 PSL matches and scalped 55 wickets at 7.8 runs per over with a bowling average of 18. Ashraf has picked up a five-wicket haul in his PSL career, and his best bowling figures are 6/19.
4. Mohammad Nawaz
The left-arm spinner from Pakistan made his Pakistan Super League debut in 2016 and has represented Quetta Gladiators since. Nawaz has been a part of 61 PSL matches and picked up 55 wickets at 7.0 runs per over with a bowling average of 26. The slow left-arm bowler’s best bowling performance in his PSL career is 4/13.
5. Mohammad Amir
The left-arm fast bowler returned to competitive cricket around 2016 when he made his PSL debut. Amir has played for Karachi Kings in the PSL and has been a part of 59 T20 matches. He has taken 54 wickets at 7.0 runs per over with a bowling average of 29, and his best bowling figures are 4/25 in the PSL.
6. Sohail Tanvir
The left-arm pacer, known for his unusual bowling action, made his PSL debut in the inaugural edition and has represented four different franchises- Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, and Multan Sultans. Tanvir has played 54 PSL matches and picked up 53 wickets at 7.6 runs per over with a bowling average of 27, including the best bowling figures of 4/13.
7. Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Afridi has emerged as the leading fast bowler from the Pakistan cricket team. The left-arm quick has represented Lahore Qalandars in his PSL career and has been a part of 37 PSL matches, picking up 50 wickets at 7.6 runs per over with a bowling average of 21. Afridi made his first PSL appearance in 2018 and has one five-wicket haul with the best performance of 5/4.
8. Shadab Khan
The leg-spinner from Pakistan has represented Islamabad United in his PSL career after making his debut in 2017. Shadab has worn the PSL jersey in 52 T20 matches and scalped 46 wickets at 7.4 runs per over with a bowling average of 29. His best bowling figures in a PSL match are 3/13.
9. Shahid Afridi
The legendary all-rounder from Pakistan made his first PSL appearance in 2016 and has played for Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, and Peshawar Zalmi. The Boom-Boom has been a part of 50 PSL matches and picked up 44 wickets at 6.9 runs per over with a bowling average of 25 and a five-wicket haul. Afridi’s best bowling performance in his PSL career is 5/7.
10. Mohammad Irfan
The tall bowler from the Pakistan cricket team has represented three PSL franchises- Multan Sultans, Islamabad United, and Peshawar Zalmi. Irfan has played 51 PSL matches after debuting in PSL in 2016 and took 43 wickets at 6.8 runs per over with a bowling average of 29. Irfan’s best bowling figures in a PSL match are 3/22.
