As the premier T20 competition in Pakistan, the PSL continues to attract top international talent and offer a platform for emerging stars
It’s true that it doesn’t quite enjoy the profile and showbiz glamour of India’s neighbouring IPL, but it’s still a tournament of stature with a fantastic history and a host of major international players on show.
With the first ball being bowled in just a handful of hours, let’s take a quick look at the Pakistan Super League, it’s history, players, records and South African influence.
A brief history of the PSL
Established in 2016, the PSL began with five teams and has since grown to six franchises: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators were the original five sides while the Multan Sultans were formed in 2017.
The league has played a major role in revitalizing cricket in Pakistan, providing a stage for local talent and drawing international players to its competitive environment.
Islamabad United, who are the current defending champions, stand as the most successful team in PSL history, having secured three titles. The league’s matches are held across four major cities: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, with each venue hosting a share of the tournament’s fixtures.
South African influence in PSL 2025
While there are plenty of South African players currently playing in the IPL there are still a good handful set to do duty in Pakistan a league when SA players have consistently made significant contributions.
The 2025 season is no exception and this year there will be several players with strong South African connections hoping to make their mark:
Rassie van der Dussen (Islamabad United): The Proteas batsmen had a sensational season in SA20 for MI Cape Town. He is one of the most under-rated T20 batsmen around as he brings his calm demeanour and solid technique to Islamabad’s top order.
Van der Dussen averaged 49.13 in SA20 and will be a key figure for Islamabad as they look to defend their title.
Andries Gous (Islamabad United): A South African-born player now representing the USA, Gous adds depth to the batting lineup with his aggressive style.
George Linde (Peshawar Zalmi): An all-rounder who is a very reliable performer wherever he plays. Like Van der Dussen he was an important player for MI Cape Town in their SA20 win earlier this season.
He is a power hitter in the middle order and a useful turner of the ball with some excellent variations. Linde will be a valuable asset for Zalmi where he has been drafted as a replacement for Corbin Bosch.
David Wiese (Lahore Qalandars): Having transitioned from representing South Africa to Namibia, Wiese’s experience and finishing abilities could be crucial for the Qalandars.
Rilee Rossouw (Quetta Gladiators): A powerful left-handed batsman, Rossouw’s aggressive approach is expected to bolster Quetta’s middle order.
Rossouw was badly out of form in SA20 where he struggled to get starts playing for the Pretoria Capitals and averaged just 5.33. He has a good PSL record however where he has a high score of 121 and a batting average of 31.98.
Notably, Corbin Bosch, another South African all-rounder, was initially signed by Peshawar Zalmi but has been banned from the PSL for one year due to contractual issues after opting to play in the IPL instead.
International stars to watch
The PSL continues to attract a plethora of international talent. While the complete list of overseas players is extensive, fans can look forward to performances from seasoned internationals and emerging talents alike, contributing to the league’s competitive edge.
For those who don’t know the PSL too well there is often the tendency to think that the biggest stars all play in the IPL. But that is far from the case.
In action, in Pakistan, starting today, fans can expect to see stars like New Zealanders Kane Williamson, Finn Allen and Kyle Jamieson.
Australian internationals David Warner, Ben Dwarshuis and Riley Meredith. England’s Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan and David Willey. The list goes on.
Key records
Most Titles: Islamabad United leads with three PSL championships. They won in 2016, 2018 and last season in 2024.
Highest Individual Score: The record for the highest individual score in a PSL match is held by England’s Jason Roy, who scored 145* from 63 balls while batting for the Quetta Gladiators against Peshawar Zalmi in 2023.
Best Bowling Figures: England allrounder Ravi Bopara returned figures of 6/16 for Karachi Kings in the leagues’ inaugural season.
It remains one of the standout bowling performances in the league’s history. Other excellent returns saw Umar Gul claim six for 24 and Faheem Ashraf six for 19.
Tips for 2025
Tournament winner: Defending champions Islamabad United look like they will be hard to beat. They have a very balanced lineup that features a mix of local stars and international talent.
Captained by experienced T20I Shadab Khan they feature the likes of Rassie van der Dussen, Matthew Short, Jason Holder, Salman Agha and Ben Dwarshuis.
Top run scorer: It’s hard to look past Kane Williamson. He is one of the world’s best batsmen in all formats of the game and he has been in good form in recent outings – most notably during the ICC Champions Trophy where he enjoyed the Pakistani conditions.
While he has previously played in IPL, SA20, CPL and Vitality Blast, this will be his PSL debut.
Most sixes: David Warner. The Aussie opener may have retired from international cricket, but he is a remarkable batsman with an incredible record in T20 cricket where he has amassed an incredible 12913 runs and hit 462 sixes.
Leading wicket taker: Shaheen Shah Afridi. Pakistan’s premier quick bowler Afridi is fast, aggressive and despite just having turned 25, he has a wealth of experience. He has a taken 291 T20 wickets in his career at a very impressive average of 21.29
