Most Trophies: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has evolved into one of the most popular T20 cricket leagues since its inception in 2016. It has showcased world-class cricket and featured some of the best players from around the globe. While the league has become a platform for new talent to shine, it’s the teams that manage to win the coveted PSL trophy that truly make their mark in the tournament’s history.
In this article, we will delve into the teams that have won the most PSL trophies, analyzing their journey to success, key players, and memorable moments. We will also highlight the dominant teams and their contributions to the league’s development.
PSL Trophy Winners: An Overview
The PSL operates as a round-robin T20 tournament where six teams compete for the prestigious trophy. Each season culminates in a thrilling playoff stage, with the top teams battling it out to win the final. Since the tournament’s inception, three teams have been particularly dominant in terms of winning the trophy.
Most PSL Trophies: The Top Teams
Below is a detailed table showing the number of PSL titles won by each team, along with the year they won the trophy and the runners-up in each season.
| Rank | Team | Number of Trophies | First Trophy Win Year | Most Recent Trophy Win | Finalists (Runners-up) | Years Active in PSL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islamabad United | 2 | 2016 | 2018 | Peshawar Zalmi (2016), Quetta Gladiators (2018) | 2016-Present |
| 2 | Peshawar Zalmi | 1 | 2017 | 2017 | Islamabad United (2017) | 2016-Present |
| 3 | Quetta Gladiators | 2 | 2019 | 2019 | Peshawar Zalmi (2019) | 2016-Present |
| 4 | Karachi Kings | 1 | 2020 | 2020 | Lahore Qalandars (2020) | 2016-Present |
| 5 | Lahore Qalandars | 1 | 2022 | 2022 | Multan Sultans (2022) | 2016-Present |
| 6 | Multan Sultans | 1 | 2021 | 2021 | Peshawar Zalmi (2021) | 2018-Present |
Team Performance Breakdown:
Islamabad United (2 Trophies)
- First Trophy: 2016
- Most Recent Trophy: 2018
Islamabad United is one of the most successful franchises in the history of PSL, having won the title twice. The team, led by Misbah-ul-Haq in 2016, defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final to win their first title. They made a remarkable comeback in 2018 when they won their second title under the leadership of Dwayne Bravo, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in a thrilling final.
Key Players:
- Dwayne Bravo: A vital all-rounder, especially in 2018.
- Daren Sammy: Played a key role in both the batting and leadership in 2016.
Key Moments:
- The 2016 final where Islamabad United defeated Quetta Gladiators.
- The 2018 final where the team claimed the trophy against Peshawar Zalmi, showcasing brilliant all-round performances.
Peshawar Zalmi (1 Trophy)
- First Trophy: 2017
Peshawar Zalmi, led by the charismatic Darren Sammy, claimed their maiden PSL title in 2017. The team defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final to win the trophy. Peshawar’s aggressive approach and team spirit were crucial to their victory.
Key Players:
- Kamran Akmal: One of the most explosive batsmen in PSL history, played a huge role in the 2017 title win.
- Wahab Riaz: The spearhead of the Zalmi bowling attack.
Key Moments:
- The 2017 final where Peshawar Zalmi overcame Quetta Gladiators, proving their mettle in high-pressure situations.
- The consistent performances of Kamran Akmal throughout the season.
Quetta Gladiators (2 Trophies)
- First Trophy: 2019
- Most Recent Trophy: 2019
Quetta Gladiators have consistently been one of the strongest teams in PSL. The team clinched their first PSL title in 2019 under the leadership of Sarfraz Ahmed. They defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the final, with brilliant contributions from their star players like Shane Watson and Mohammad Nawaz.
Key Players:
- Shane Watson: Played a match-winning role in the 2019 final.
- Mohammad Nawaz: An all-rounder who provided key breakthroughs and contributed with the bat.
Key Moments:
- The 2019 final where Shane Watson delivered a stellar performance, guiding the Gladiators to their maiden title.
Karachi Kings (1 Trophy)
- First Trophy: 2020
After years of struggle, Karachi Kings finally managed to secure their first PSL title in 2020. The team, led by Imad Wasim, defeated Lahore Qalandars in a thrilling final, where Babar Azam played an instrumental role throughout the season and in the final match.
Key Players:
- Babar Azam: Played an integral role as a captain and a batsman.
- Imad Wasim: Contributed with both bat and ball in the 2020 season.
Key Moments:
- Babar Azam‘s match-winning innings in the final.
- Karachi Kings’ incredible performance in the knockout stages of the 2020 PSL.
Lahore Qalandars (1 Trophy)
- First Trophy: 2022
After being one of the unluckiest teams in previous seasons, Lahore Qalandars finally claimed their first PSL title in 2022. Under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Lahore defeated Multan Sultans in a memorable final. The victory was built on strong team performances, with Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf playing key roles.
Key Players:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: Led the team with brilliant bowling performances throughout the tournament.
- Fakhar Zaman: Scored vital runs at the top of the order.
Key Moments:
- Shaheen Afridi‘s exceptional performance with the ball in the final.
- Fakhar Zaman‘s impactful knock that set the tone for Lahore in the final.
Multan Sultans (1 Trophy)
- First Trophy: 2021
Multan Sultans, one of the newer teams in PSL, made history in 2021 by clinching their maiden title. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Multan defeated Peshawar Zalmi in the final. Their victory was the culmination of a strong season, with key performances from Sohaib Maqsood and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Key Players:
- Mohammad Rizwan: The captain and the team’s top run-scorer.
- Sohaib Maqsood: Played a key role with his bat, especially in the final.
Key Moments:
- Shahnawaz Dahani‘s breakout performance with the ball.
- Sohaib Maqsood‘s contribution with the bat in the final.
PSL: Team Performance Analysis
Here is an overview of the dominant teams in the PSL by the number of trophies won:
| Team | Total Trophies | Finals Appearances | Win Percentage (%) | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad United | 2 | 3 | 66.67 | Dwayne Bravo, Misbah-ul-Haq, Andre Russell |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 1 | 3 | 33.33 | Kamran Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Darren Sammy |
| Quetta Gladiators | 2 | 3 | 66.67 | Shane Watson, Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed |
| Karachi Kings | 1 | 2 | 50.00 | Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Colin Ingram |
| Lahore Qalandars | 1 | 2 | 50.00 | Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman |
| Multan Sultans | 1 | 1 | 100.00 | Mohammad Rizwan, Shahnawaz Dahani |
Conclusion: Who Has the Most Trophies?
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has seen various teams rise to prominence, but Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators have each won two trophies, making them the most successful teams in the league’s history.
While Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, and Multan Sultans have each won one trophy, it’s clear that the competition is fierce, and every season sees new contenders emerging. The future of the PSL looks exciting, with teams striving to add to their trophy cabinets in the upcoming seasons.
As we look to the future, Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators will likely remain the teams to beat, but with the ever-evolving dynamics of the league, no team can be written off in the race for the next PSL title.