Most Successful PSL Team of All Time!

The Pakistan Super League is a relatively new concept as it was founded in 2016. However, this exciting T20 competition has become a breeding ground for developing new talent and it has been an attractive proposition for overseas stars. Currently, six teams take part, but from next year, the tournament will be expanded to feature eight franchises. 

Islamabad United has carved out an incredible legacy. They are three-time winners, making them the most successful side in the competition’s history while the Lahore Qalandars are the only other side to triumph on more than one occasion. Inevitably as the reigning champions, Islamabad United will have a target on their back.

At sportsboom.com, we have trawled through and cross-referenced the data, bringing everything up-to-date ahead of the 2025 season. We have included stats for the 2024 campaign, covering mainly Islamabad United, but we have also touched on the Lahore Qalandars. We have also explained why we rate Islamabad United so highly.

2024 PSL Performance

Islamabad United finished on top of the pile once again in 2024, but the final was a nail-biting experience. Up against the Multan Sultans, who were contesting the showpiece game for the third straight season proved to be anything but easy.

The Multan Sultans looked to have posted a competitive target of 159 for 9, with Usman Khan (57 runs) and Iftikhar Ahmed (32 runs) making an impression at the crease, but Imad Wasim excelled with the ball for Islamabad United, picking up a 5-wicket haul for the concession of just 23 runs.

During the group stages, the Multan Sultans came out on top, but Islamabad United, as had done throughout the tournament, showed tenacity to prevail. The equation in the final over of the final was simple; Islamabad United needed eight runs to get over the winning line. Naseem Shah hit a four to leave three required off the last four deliveries. With the scores level, Naseem’s brother, Hunain delivered the telling blow as Islamabad hoisted the trophy aloft to cue some wild celebrations.

Throughout the 2024 campaign, Islamabad United were pushed hard, most notably by the Multan Sultans, whom they also beat by three wickets in the group stages. The Eliminator 1 win over Quetta Gladiators proved to be a key turning point, giving Islamabad United the confidence that they could go all the way once again.

Shadab Khan was instrumental throughout and he was named Player of the Tournament. The skipper was the joint fifth-highest wicket taker with 14, scored 305 runs at a strike rate of 142.52, collected eight catches, and nabbed a couple of run-outs.

Key Moments of the 2024 PSL Season

Although Islamabad United took the spoils once again, the 2024 season stats will show that they didn’t outclass other sides across key performance metrics. Take batting stats for example. Peshawar Zalmi superstar Babar Azam, PSL’s all-time leading run scorer, fired 569 runs from 11 matches with a strike rate of 142.61. Oh, and he smashed home 63 fours, 11 more than his closest rival Usman Khan of the Multan Sultans. You have to scroll down to sixth spot to find the highest run-scorer on the list for Islamabad United where you will spot Colin Munro who wound up with 326 runs from 10 innings.

From a bowling perspective, Naseem Shah struck fear into batsmen, grabbing 15 wickets, but that was still 10 adrift of the leading bowler, Usama Mir who ended up with 24 wickets from 12 matches for the Multan Sultans.

Behind the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan, who has represented the Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, and the Multan Sultans has been the benchmark for other wicketkeepers. 83 dismissals across 83 matches tells its own story, and in 2024. He also equalled the record for most catches (six) behind the stumps in a men’s ODI game for Pakistan and Australia which is incredible. Don’t overlook the fact he’s one of the PSL’s most successful captains with a 66.6% win record (32/48 matches won).

Assessing Lahore Qalandars Credentials

Another key cog of the PSL success story has been the Lahore Qalandars. As mentioned, they are two-time winners, with their maiden title arriving in 2022. In that final, Qalandars racked up 180 runs, and restricted the Multan Sultans to just 138.

In 2023, things were decidedly closer as the Multan Sultans, who were looking to exact revenge, fell short by one run. We have illustrated the Lahore Qalandars’ overall win record from 2016 to 2024 which highlights their credentials.