PSL 2025: X-Factor From Each Team To Watch Out For Ahead Of 10th Season

PSL 2025 will kick off on April 11 [Source: @thePSLt20/x.com]

The wait is nearly over as PSL 2025 is about to roll out the red carpet and cricket fans are buzzing with excitement. With the league kicking off on April 11 and the grand finale locked in for May 18 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, the road to glory is set.

All six teams have loaded their squads with talent and firepower but in tournaments like these, it’s the X-factors that make all the noise. Let’s take a look at one player from each team who could be the X-factor in PSL 2025.

Islamabad United: Matthew Short

Table - Matthew Short T20 Stats

If Islamabad United are looking to stamp their authority early in games, Matthew Short is the man for the job. The Aussie all-rounder doesn’t hang around as he walks in with a license to kill. With 2982 runs at a blistering strike rate of 146.46 and two tons to his name in T20 Cricket, Short knows how to make the new ball disappear into the stands. But, he is no one-trick pony.

He has chipped in with 48 wickets too, including a five-for, proving he can roll his arm over and do a job. Islamabad love going hard in the powerplay and Short fits like a glove. If he gets going early, you can bet your bottom dollar the opposition will be on the back foot in no time.

Karachi Kings: Khushdil Shah

Table - Khushdil Shah T20 Stats

Khushdil Shah might not make a lot of noise off the field but give him a bat and he’ll make the bowlers dance to his tunes. With nearly 3400 runs in T20s and a century under his belt, he has been Karachi Kings' go-to guy when the going gets tough. He hits a long ball and does it with style. The southpaw has also picked up over 90 wickets at an impressive economy rate of under 7, showing he's no mug with the ball either.

In the middle overs, when the pace slows down and the game is in the balance, Khushdil can be the difference between a 150 score and a match-winning 190. He has got that street-smart vibe, the kind that makes him a proper PSL operator. Watch out for him when the chips are down as he thrives on pressure.

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Lahore Qalandars: Daryl Mitchell

Table - Daryl Mitchell T20 Stats

Daryl Mitchell has been in the form of his life and Lahore Qalandars will be banking on him to deliver the goods this season. With nearly 5000 runs in T20s at an average of over 31, Mitchell is the kind of batter who knows how to pace an innings. He has played the anchor role to perfection and also knows how to clear the ropes when needed.

What makes him dangerous is his temperament. He doesn’t throw his wicket away and always plays for the team. In tight chases or tricky starts, Mitchell is the glue that can hold Lahore together. He has got all the shots in the book and the brains to use them at the right time.

Multan Sultans: Usman Khan

Table - Usman Khan T20 Stats

Remember Usman Khan lighting up PSL 2024? Yeah, the youngster was in red-hot form last year as he smashed 407 runs in just 7 matches at an average of 107.50. He ended up as the second-highest run-scorer and had bowlers scratching their heads with his fearless hitting. Usman isn’t just about brute force; he times the ball sweetly and picks gaps like a seasoned pro.

With over 1700 T20 runs at a strike rate north of 145 and five centuries to his name, he’s been making bowlers pay for even the smallest mistakes. Multan will rely heavily on his early blitz and his ability to play the big innings. When Usman is in the mood, he doesn’t just build an innings, he builds a highlight reel. He will be one to watch out for, especially on batting-friendly tracks.

Peshawar Zalmi: Ali Raza

Table - Ali Raza T20 Stats

Ali Raza is just 17 but he has already got the cricketing world talking. The young pacer has been turning heads in domestic cricket with his ability to swing the ball both ways—and he does it with control beyond his years. With figures like 2/23 and an economy just over 8, Raza’s raw numbers might not jump off the page, but the potential is sky-high. 

Even Ian Bishop has picked him as one of his favourites, and that’s no small praise. For Zalmi, he could be their secret weapon, someone who flies under the radar but lands the killer blows. Early wickets are gold dust in T20s and Raza has that golden arm. He might be young but he has got the heart of a lion. Don’t be surprised if he sends some big names packing early on.

Quetta Gladiators: Khawaja Nafay

Table - Khawaja Nafay T20 Stats

Every season, PSL gives us a breakout star and Khawaja Nafay is ready to wear that crown in 2025. The young Quetta batter has been quietly building a reputation for himself, and now he’s on the verge of exploding onto the big stage. With 636 runs in just 30 T20s and a strike rate over 130, Nafay knows how to keep the scoreboard ticking while also finding the fence.

He showed flashes of brilliance last season, but it’s his exploits in the Bangladesh Premier League that have really put him on the map. He’s not afraid to take on the bowlers, and he backs himself to play the big shots when the time is right. For Quetta, he could be the spark they have been looking for. If Nafay gets going, he can change the course of a game in a blink.

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