ISLAMABAD: A record-breaking storm is brewing in the HBL Pakistan Super League as Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis spearhead Peshawar Zalmi’s dominant charge, setting their sights on one of the most coveted milestones in PSL history.
With a staggering 413 runs to his name, Mendis has surged ahead, closely followed by Babar Azam with 401, as the Zalmi duo creates daylight between themselves and the rest of the field in the race for the tournament’s highest individual aggregate. Their relentless consistency and attacking flair have not only powered Zalmi to the summit of the points table but also ignited serious speculation about the long-standing record set by Fakhar Zaman.
Fakhar’s monumental 588-run tally, amassed through a breathtaking sequence of centuries and fifties during his 13 outings in the 2021-22 season for Lahore Qalandars has stood tall as a benchmark of batting excellence.
Zalmi’s near-certain qualification at the top suggests at least five more matches on the horizon, a golden window for the prolific pair to rewrite history. Given their current form, the possibility of a new all-time aggregate record no longer seems distant, but imminent.
Babar, in particular, has entered a sublime purple patch, boasting an astonishing average exceeding 100 per innings, a testament to his composure, class, and hunger for big scores. Mendis, though slightly behind in average with just under 60 per innings, has been equally destructive, blending power with precision to devastating effect.
Meanwhile, the bowling charts are witnessing their own intense battle. Rising star Sufiyan Muqeem leads the wicket-taking race with an impressive 17 scalps, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi follows with 14 wickets.
Sufiyan now stands on the brink of another historic feat. With five matches potentially remaining, he needs eight more wickets to eclipse the 25-wicket mark set by Hasan Ali, then playing for Zalmi during the 2017-18 season, a record that has remained untouched for years.
When it comes to the points table, unbeaten Peshawar Zalmi are still placed top of the table with 15 points from eight matches.
Multan Sultans are well behind them, followed by the third-placed Islamabad United, who have nine points. Both look favourite to make it to the play-offs.
Lahore, after beating Quetta on Tuesday, now have eight points.
In descending order, Quetta, Hyderabad Kingsmen, and Karachi Kings are tied on six points each. Eighth-placed Rawalpindiz are yet to win their first game.
Meanwhile, Babar and Mendis are also in sight of Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan’s tally of 695, the highest partnership runs for a pair in a single HBL PSL season. They have currently added together 557 with the help of three century partnerships.
With the Hanif Mohammad Cap lying with Mendis, the coveted Fazal Mahmood Cap is held by Peshawar Zalmi’s left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim, who comfortably sits atop the bowling leader board with 17 wickets, four best of Shaheen Shah Afridi.
