Babar Azam, Usman Khawaja and Rashid Khan: PSL 2021 Team of the Year

With the Covid-disrupted tournament nearing completion in Abu Dhabi, who has been the best XI?

PSL 2021 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT: 1. Babar Azam (Karachi Kings) - A model of consistency. Karachi’s title defence might have ended at the first knockout phase, but Babar still made seven half-centuries at an average of 69.25. All photos courtesy of Pakistan Super League

2. Hazratullah Zazai (Peshawar Zalmi) - To say his arrival has given Peshawar’s title challenge fresh impetus understates the point. Three matchwinning performances in his first four matches has taken them to the final.

3. Usman Khawaja (Islamabad United) - Rarely spotted on the franchise circuit outside of Australia, but advertised his wares to potential employers with a fine return in Abu Dhabi, especially via the century he made.

4. Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans) - He has been in belligerent form since arriving in the UAE, and played a key role in the qualifier playoff against Islamabad in blistering heat.

5. Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi) - Will be 40 on his next birthday, yet remains both svelte and influential, despite his build up to this tournament amounting to not much more than a few net sessions at an understated academy near Dubai airport.

6. Mohammed Rizwan (Multan Sultans) - Justified Multan’s late decision to swap captains, despite Shan Masood guiding them to the top of the table last year, as they reached the final this time round.

7. Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars) - Harsh that the Afghan great was deprived a place in the knockout stage. Eleven wickets in eight games for Lahore, and an economy rate of 5.46. Standard Rashid Khan fare.

8. Hasan Ali (Islamabad United) - The thriftiest bowler in the side who dominated the league phase, and he nearly earned them a place in the final with his extraordinary batting cameo in the last knockout match.

9. Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans) - Particularly outstanding once the tournament decamped to UAE, which was maybe no surprise given he has been resident in the country for much of this year.

10. Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) - How Lahore managed to miss out on the knockout stage is a mystery given the strength of their bowling. Shaheen took 16 wickets in 10 games.

11. Shahnawaz Dahani, right, (Multan Sultans) - Unquestionably the find of the tournament. Good pace, a load of wickets, and a ready smile marked him out as a new star.

Multan Sultans will bid to claim their first HBL Pakistan Super League title at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday night, when they go up against a Peshawar Zalmi side who have been to the final more often than any other side.

It seems remarkable to think Multan arrived in Abu Dhabi with just two points in the competition so far, and needing to win every game thereafter to make it through.

They have done so in fine fashion, were the first side through to their final, and they excellence is reflected in the make up of our team of the tournament.

PSL 2021 Team of the Year

1. Babar Azam (Karachi Kings)

2. Hazratullah Zazai (Peshawar Zalmi)

3. Usman Khawaja (Islamabad United)

4. Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans)

5. Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi)

6. Mohammed Rizwan (Multan Sultans)

7. Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars)

8. Hasan Ali (Islamabad United)

9. Imran Tahir (Multan Sultans)

10. Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)

11. Shahnawaz Dahani (Multan Sultans)

To find out the reasons these stars made the best XI, check out the photo gallery above.

• Abu Dhabi Cricket turns to golf experts to keep Zayed Cricket Stadium in fine shape for hectic schedule