Pak T20 League 2021 is resuming in Abu Dhabi from June 09 and the final will be played on June 24. Six double-headers will be played this time on alternative days. The first half of the season was held in National Stadium, Karachi and we saw some good level of power-hitting. It was a pure batting track and the majority of the matches were won by chasing sides. Some new records were created in season 2021. In this segment, we pick five players who could be standout performers in the remainder of Pak T20 League 2021:
Mohammed Rizwan
Mohammed Rizwan has been a top-class performer for Pakistan in last one year and in just a span of 6 months, he become the best wicket-keeper batsman in all formats of cricket. Rizwan scored his maiden T20 hundred against South Africa this year and he continued his top-form in the first half of the Pak T20 League 2021. He is currently the leading run-scorer of the tournament with scoring 297 runs from 5 innings at an average of 59.40. He scored three half-centuries out of five matches. Rizwan was also appointed as the skipper of Multan this year so the remainder of the season will be important for this wicket-keeper batsman.
Babar Azam
Babar Azam also achieved milestones in last one year. He was appointed as the captain of Pakistan in all formats of cricket. He even led Pakistan to ODI and T20I series win in South Africa. Babar won the Pak T20 League title for Karachi for his top-class batting performance. Babar has aggregated 258 runs so far in Pak T20 League 2021 at an average of 86. He also scored three half-centuries out of five matches. He also broke the record of highest partnership this year by putting 176 runs stand with Sharjeel. Babar was the top-performer in South Africa with scoring his maiden T20I hundred. He also bagged the number spot in ODI Rankings. It will be a good way to prepare for the upcoming two international assignments against England and West Indies.
Saqib Mahmood
Saqib Mahmood surprised by his wicket-taking ability in Pak T20 League 2021. On a surface of Karachi where batting was pretty easier, he scalped 12 wickets from just 5 matches. He is the leading wicket-taker of Pak T20 League 2021 with two 3-wicket hauls. His both 3-wicket hauls came on consecutive days against Quetta and Islamabad. Mahmood can take this season as the preparation for England’s summer. Saqib made his ODI debut in 2020 against South Africa and his T20I debut was recorded in 2019 against New Zealand. Mahmood will be an overseas player to watch out for in Pak T20 League 2021.
Mohammed Amir
The former Pakistani pacer Amir will also be back in action after his controversial updates regarding the British Passport. He was part of Karachi’s winning squad in 2020 and the same year, he announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. He also made allegations on Pakistan’s team management including head coach Misbah. Amir can take this season as his preparation for upcoming leagues. Amir will be a highlight player to watch out this season. He hasn’t been so convincing in last one year in Pak T20 League. This year, he bagged 4 wickets from 5 matches.
Imad Wasim
Imad Wasim will be back in action after two months. He missed out South Africa and Zimbabwe series due to his omission from the white-ball squad. Imad was dropped this year and his poor form cost him the place in the national team. Imad also participated in Australia T20 League 2020-21 but his performance was average. Imad led Karachi to the maiden Pak T20 League title last year after beating Lahore in the final. The all-rounder will also look to defend the trophy this year and focus on his game. Imad has been included in the WI-ENG tour and some good performances in the remainder of the season can book his place into the playing XI.
Pak T20 League 2021 will be good preparation for Pakistan because, after the season, they will travel to England for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is, followed by 5 T20Is and 2 Tests in West Indies. It will be a road-map for Pakistan to find the best combination for T20 World Cup.
