From Shadab's Wizardry To Shaheen Afridi's Pace: Highest Wicket-Takers In The PSL History

Arnav Chopra

Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali (Source: @SayaCorps, @PSLT20/X.com)Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali (Source: @SayaCorps, @PSLT20/X.com)

One of the top leagues in the world, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), boasts a rich history of successful players making a name for themselves in this high-profile tournament. From announcing themselves with a blazing 100 to making their mark with a five-wicket haul, many of those players have registered some top-class performances in PSL history and then gone on to make a name for Pakistan.

Ever since the inaugural season in 2016, the standards have been set, with players consistently living up to expectations through high-class performances. Therefore, in this article, we will have a look at the players with the most wickets in PSL history.

5. Faheem Ashraf - 95 Wickets In 84 Matches

At number five on this list is the right-arm medium-pace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. Having played for both Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators, Ashraf has had a meaningful impact in this league. He first made his debut in 2018 and has since played 84 games, taking 95 wickets at an average of 24.13 while bowling at an economy of 8.75.

Ashraf has been quite consistent in the past, managing to pick two five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls, while his strike rate of 16.54 has been efficient, especially with the ball in hand, as he can gather some useful wickets. With the best figures of 6 for 19, there is no doubt that Ashraf has the ability to change the game in his side's favour.

4. Shadab Khan - 105 Wickets In 94 Matches

Following Ashraf, the number four player on this list is a leg-spinner and one of the most important players in the Pakistan side, Shadab Khan. A leg-spinner who has represented only Islamabad United so far in this league, Shadab made his debut in 2017 and has since played in a total of 94 games, bowling in 92 innings so far, having delivered, to be precise, exactly 330 overs across nine seasons.

Shadab has picked 105 wickets at an average of 24.20 while bowling at an economy of just 7.7. With a strike rate of 18.85, he has picked three four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul so far, with a best of 5 for 28. His best season with the ball was in 2022, when he represented his side in nine games, taking 19 wickets at an average of just 10.89, while his economy rate was remarkably 6.46.

3. Wahab Riaz - 113 Wickets In 88 Matches

At number three is a legendary left-arm pacer from Pakistan, Wahab Riaz. Having hung up his boots after the 2023 edition, Riaz first featured in the inaugural season in 2016 and only played for the Peshawar Zalmi side. During his stint with this franchise, he featured in a total of 88 matches, picking 113 wickets at an average of 22.68, while his economy was decent at 7.79, with his best figures being 4 for 17.

Riaz was a useful left-arm pacer, and his accurate pace and control with the ball often came in handy for his side. The left-arm bowler had two outstanding seasons for his side, during which he managed to claim 18 wickets each in 2018 and 2021, taking 18 wickets in 13 and 12 games, respectively, as his performances significantly contributed to the Zalmi side's effectiveness.

2. Shaheen Afridi - 122 Wickets In 84 Matches

The number two position is held by another left-arm pacer from Pakistan, currently one of the best pacers in the world, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afridi made his debut in the 2018 PSL and has been an integral part of the Lahore Qalandars side, leading them to three PSL titles, particularly under his captaincy, where he has performed brilliantly with the ball.

In 84 games, Afridi has picked up a total of 122 wickets at an average of 20.31 while bowling at an economy of 7.97, managing three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. His best figures of 5/4 are among the best ever, not just in PSL, but in fact, in many other leagues around the globe.

Born in 2000, Afridi had his best season in 2022, during which he featured in 13 games, taking 20 wickets at an economy rate of just 7.57 while averaging 19.70. While in the recent 2025 season, he took 19 wickets across 13 games.

1. Hasan Ali - 125 Wickets In 92 Matches

Now topping the list with 125 wickets in 92 matches, after featuring for Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Peshawar Zalmi, is the right-arm pacer Hasan Ali. Ali, who has been quite influential in the past after making his debut in 2016 with Zalmi, currently represents the Karachi side in this six-team event.

Overall, in his PSL career, he has been outstanding, consistently picking up wickets at regular intervals. Bowling at an average of 22.62 while maintaining an economy of 8.14, Hasan has picked up five four-wicket hauls so far in his career, while picking up wickets at a strike rate of 16.6.

Hasan's best season with the ball came in 2019, when he took 25 wickets in 13 games for Zalmi at an average of 13.64, with an economy rate of 6.77. With performances like these, Hasan maintains his dominant position at the top and is likely to replicate those successes in the upcoming seasons as well.