HBL PSL 2026 Team of the Year Announced, Babar Azam Named Captain of the Best XI
The HBL PSL 2026 Team of the Year is officially out, and it is a strong one. Babar Azam of Peshawar Zalmi has been named captain, backed by a lineup that covers every position with genuine standout performers from across the tournament.
The PSL 2026 season threw up some memorable individual displays, and this XI reflects exactly that.
PSL 2026 Team of the Year: Full XI at a Glance
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Batter | Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars |
| Wicketkeeper | Kusal Mendis | Peshawar Zalmi |
| Batter | Shan Masood | Multan Sultans |
| Batter | Usman Khan | Hyderabad Kingsmen |
| All-rounder | Shadab Khan | Islamabad United |
| All-rounder | Hassan Khan | Hyderabad Kingsmen |
| Pace Bowler | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Lahore Qalandars |
| Batter | Hunain Shah | Hyderabad Kingsmen |
| Spinner | Sufyan Moqim | Peshawar Zalmi |
| Pacer | Richard Gleeson | Islamabad United |
| Pacer | Hasan Nawaz | Quetta Gladiators |
| Captain | Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi |
Babar Azam: The Captain Who Earned It
Babar’s inclusion as captain is not a courtesy pick. He was one of the most consistent batters in the competition, putting up runs when Peshawar Zalmi needed them most. His ability to anchor innings while keeping the scoring rate healthy made him the natural choice to lead this XI.
He brings together a squad that is balanced across all three departments, which is exactly what a quality T20 captain is judged on.
Batting Lineup Breakdown
Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar had a tournament that reminded everyone why he is still one of the most dangerous openers in Pakistani cricket. His big hitting at the top of the order set the tone for Lahore on multiple occasions.
Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper)
The Sri Lankan international brought calm and quality behind the stumps and chipped in with the bat consistently. Kusal’s keeping throughout the season was clean and reliable.
Shan Masood
Shan had a strong campaign with the Multan Sultans, combining elegance with aggression at number three. His technique held up under pressure and he delivered in must-win moments.
Usman Khan
Hyderabad Kingsmen had a breakout season in many ways, and Usman Khan was right at the centre of it. He showed maturity and power in equal measure across the competition.
| Batter | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | Opener |
| Kusal Mendis | Peshawar Zalmi | Wicketkeeper |
| Shan Masood | Multan Sultans | Middle Order |
| Usman Khan | Hyderabad Kingsmen | Middle Order |
| Babar Azam (C) | Peshawar Zalmi | Anchor |
All-Round Excellence: Shadab and Hassan
Shadab Khan
The Islamabad United all-rounder had a vintage PSL season. His leg-spin troubled batters throughout the tournament and his lower-order hitting gave his team crucial runs at key moments.
Hassan Khan
Hassan Khan from Hyderabad Kingsmen earned his place with a well-rounded contribution. He gave his team control when they needed it and stepped up under pressure on more than one occasion.
Both players give this XI that balance between bat and ball that every T20 side needs in the middle overs.
Bowling Attack: Pace and Spin Covered
Shaheen Shah Afridi
The Lahore Qalandars spearhead was back to his most dangerous self. Shaheen’s new-ball threat was a constant factor throughout the tournament, and batters across all teams struggled to get him away early.
Hunain Shah
Another Hyderabad Kingsmen representative, Hunain Shah proved he belongs at this level. His pace and ability to hit the hard lengths consistently made him a standout in the bowling charts.
Sufyan Moqim
The young Peshawar Zalmi spinner had a season to remember. Moqim picked up wickets in the powerplay and death overs with equal confidence, showing a cricketing intelligence beyond his age.
Richard Gleeson
The Islamabad United pacer was one of the tournament’s hidden gems. Gleeson’s ability to move the ball at pace and find the edge made him a consistent threat, especially in the first six overs.
Hasan Nawaz
Quetta Gladiators have had a complicated season overall, but Hasan Nawaz gave them genuine quality with the ball. His inclusion in the Team of the Year is a reflection of the consistency he showed game after game.
| Bowler | Team | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Lahore Qalandars | Left-arm Pace |
| Hunain Shah | Hyderabad Kingsmen | Right-arm Pace |
| Sufyan Moqim | Peshawar Zalmi | Left-arm Spin |
| Richard Gleeson | Islamabad United | Right-arm Pace |
| Hasan Nawaz | Quetta Gladiators | Right-arm Pace |
What This XI Tells Us About PSL 2026
A few things stand out when you look at this list properly.
- Hyderabad Kingsmen have three players in the XI, which is a statement for a franchise that has been building steadily.
- Peshawar Zalmi contribute two players plus the captain, underlining how well-rounded their squad has been.
- Islamabad United have Shadab and Gleeson, two completely different skill sets, both making the cut.
- No team dominates the list, which suggests the 2026 season was genuinely competitive across all six games on the PSL 2026 schedule.
The spread of franchises also says a lot about talent being distributed more evenly this season compared to previous years where one or two teams tended to produce the bulk of standout performers.
For the full player breakdown by franchise, check the PSL 2026 squads page.
FAQs
Who is the captain of the PSL 2026 Team of the Year? Babar Azam of Peshawar Zalmi has been named captain of the PSL 2026 Team of the Year.
Which team has the most players in the PSL 2026 Team of the Year? Hyderabad Kingsmen lead with three players: Usman Khan, Hassan Khan, and Hunain Shah.
Is Fakhar Zaman in the PSL 2026 Team of the Year? Yes, Fakhar Zaman of Lahore Qalandars is included as an opener in the XI.
Who is the wicketkeeper in the PSL 2026 Team of the Year? Kusal Mendis of Peshawar Zalmi is the designated wicketkeeper in the Team of the Year.
Which overseas players made the PSL 2026 Team of the Year? Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) and Richard Gleeson (England) are the overseas players in the XI.
How many bowlers are in the PSL 2026 Team of the Year? Five bowlers are in the XI including four pacers (Shaheen, Hunain, Gleeson, Hasan Nawaz) and one spinner (Sufyan Moqim).
