Peshawar Zalmi is always a fan favorite in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and their 2025 squad looks strong. With a mix of experienced international players and talented local stars, they’re aiming for another PSL title. Babar Azam leads the team with calm and smart decisions. The squad has plenty of firepower in both batting and bowling. This article will explore the full squad, highlight key players, and introduce some exciting young talents. Peshawar Zalmi remains a proud symbol of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistani cricket.
Peshawar Zalmi Current Squad (PSL 2025)
Babar Azam, Abdul Samad, Max Bryant, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, Najibullah Zardan, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza, Arif Yaqoob, Alizarri Joseoh, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Nahid Rana, Sufyan Muqeem
Batsmen
Babar Azam (Captain): Right-handed batsman
He is the best batsman in Pakistan. He has been the best running captain for Peshawar Zalmi. In PSL 2024, he scored 444 runs, which makes him one of the leading run-scorers. Babar has a reputation for having good timing and technique and maintaining a calm manner under pressure situations. He grounds up the innings and accelerates when required. As a captain, he sets the tone both on and off the field.
Saim Ayub: Left-handed batsman
Saim Ayub is a young and fearless opener. He brings flair and aggression to the top order. Saim attacks from the first over. He has become one of the most promising Pakistani talents. His stroke play is clean, stylish, and attacking. Fans admire his fearless approach. He is seen as the future of Pakistan’s batting.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore: Right-handed batsman (England)
Tom is an experienced English batter. He bats in the middle order. Tom provides balance and calmness in tense situations. He adapts his game according to the match. He can anchor, rebuild, or accelerate the innings. His ability to bat under pressure is a big plus. He is also a backup wicket-keeper.
Najibullah Zadran: Left-handed batsman (Afghanistan)
Najibullah is a powerful hitter from Afghanistan. He brings explosive energy in the middle overs. Known for his six-hitting skills, he can turn a game in minutes. His role is to finish innings strongly. He adds international firepower to the team.
Abdul Samad: Right-handed batsman
Abdul Samad is a young and, aggressive, hard-hitting player from Pakistan. He is well known for striking powerful blows in the final overs of matches. He plays quite aggressively and does not fear challenges. He is getting better in the finishing department and was picked for the team due to his domestic display of form.
Max Bryant: Right-handed batsman (Australia)
Max Bryant is an attacking opener from Australia. He believes in scoring quickly. He sets the tone in the powerplay overs. His aggressive batting can give Zalmi flying starts. He is known for pulling and cutting fast bowlers effectively.
Maaz Sadaqat: Left-handed batsman
Maaz Sadaqat is a young Pakistani batsman. He is making his way into professional cricket. This was a big opportunity for him in PSL 2025. His inclusion shows Zalmi’s commitment to local talent. He plays with maturity.
Bowlers
Alzarri Joseph: Right-arm fast bowler (West Indies)
Alzarri Joseph leads the bowling attack. He bowls fast and hits the deck hard. He is known for taking early wickets. His bounce and pace trouble batters. Alzarri also bowls well in the death overs. He brings vital international experience to the bowling unit.
Mohammad Ali: Right-arm fast-medium bowler
Mohammad Ali is a dependable local pacer. He bowls consistent lines and lengths. He is useful with the new ball and in middle overs. His economy and discipline make him a key asset. He is gradually growing into a trusted fast bowler.
Nahid Rana: Right-arm fast bowler (Bangladesh)
Nahid Rana is a young fast bowler from Bangladesh. He is a variety with pace. Now, he adds an international flavor to the bowling unit. This boy is sharp, quick, and hungry for wickets. A true future star in the making.
Mehran Mumtaz: Slow left-arm orthodox bowler
Mehran Mumtaz is a talented spinner. He bowls with control and accuracy. He is known for breaking partnerships in the middle overs. His left-arm spin provides variety to the attack. Mehran is one of Pakistan’s bright young spinners. This PSL was a chance for him to shine.
Sufyan Moqeem: Left-arm unorthodox spinner
Sufyan adds mystery to the spin attack. He bowls chinaman deliveries, which are rare in Pakistan. His variations and angles make him difficult to read. He is especially useful in middle-overs. If he performs well, he can become a long-term spin option.
Arif Yaqoob: Right-arm leg-break bowler
Arif Yaqoob is a leg spinner who boasts good control. He bowls tight, and he is a great googly bowler. He is more likely to take wickets in the middle overs. With each match, Arif is gaining experience. He has depth in the spin options available for Zalmi.
Ahmed Daniyal: Right-arm fast-medium bowler
Ahmed Daniyal is known for bowling at the death. He uses yorkers and slower balls effectively. He has played in franchise leagues before. His pace and variations are ideal for closing out innings. He is a key bowler in pressure situations.
Ali Raza: Right-arm medium-fast bowler
Ali Raza is an emerging fast bowler. He is new but shows good potential. He has been performing well in domestic cricket. PSL 2025 gave him a platform to showcase his talent, which he did. Zalmi is investing in his future.
Luke Wood: Left-arm fast-medium bowler
The English man has experience delivering in many different situations and pitches. He has been very proficient with the ball. He usually starts the bowling in the powerplay, trying to restrict the batters, and does so successfully.
All-Rounders
Hussain Talat: Left-handed batsman / Right-arm medium-fast bowler
Talat is a seasoned all-rounder. He bats in the middle order and bowls medium pace. He can steady the innings and finish it. With the ball, he provides breakthroughs. He is a team player and very adaptable. His dual skills add balance to the squad.
George Linde
George Linde is a dynamic South African all-rounder known for his left-arm orthodox spin and lower-order batting skills. Linde has showcased his skills in various leagues, including the SA20, where he played for MI Cape Town, and in international leagues such as the PSL, BPL, and CPL. His all-round performances have made him a valuable asset to his teams, contributing both with the bat and the ball.
Maaz Sadaqat
Maaz Sadaqat is an exciting young cricket talent from Pakistan, born on May 15, 2005, in Peshawar. Known for his left-handed batting and slow left-arm orthodox bowling, he’s making waves in the cricket world. In PSL X, he performed well with the bat and ball.
Wicket-Keepers
Mohammad Haris – Right-handed batsman / Wicket-keeper
Haris is a dynamic wicket-keeper batsman. He is known for fearless batting. He plays fast, especially in the powerplay. He is also sharp behind the stumps. His energy boosts the team. He is a key part of Zalmi’s plans for the future.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Right-handed batsman / Wicket-keeper (England)
In addition to being a batsman, Tom can keep wickets. This gives Zalmi more flexibility. He is a safe pair of hands behind the stumps. His dual role adds value to the squad.
Captain
Babar Azam – Team Leader
Babar Azam is not just Zalmi’s best batsman. He is their leader. His calmness, focus, and strategic mind guide the team. He leads by example. His presence motivates young players. Under his captaincy, Zalmi has a clear direction. He is respected across the cricket world. Fans trust him to take the team forward.
Peshawar Zalmi Key Players to Watch
Star Batsman: Babar Azam
Babar Azam remains the backbone of Zalmi’s batting unit. He is one of the finest batsmen in world cricket. His stroke play is elegant and precise. Babar rarely plays a rash shot. He builds his innings calmly, then accelerates smoothly.
In the 2024 season, he scored 444 runs. He was among the tournament’s top scorers. His consistency at the top of the order is unmatched. Babar sets the tone for the team. When he plays well, Zalmi usually posts or chases down big totals.
He reads the game beautifully. His footwork is flawless. He plays both pace and spin with ease. Whether it’s a tricky chase or a solid start needed, Babar is the man. He is also the captain, and his leadership complements his batting. For Zalmi, he is more than just a player—he is the heartbeat of the team.
Leading Bowler: Alzarri Joseph
Alzarri Joseph is the spearhead of Zalmi’s pace attack. The West Indian pacer brings fire and intensity. He bowls with a genuine pace. His short balls are sharp, and his yorkers are deadly.
Joseph is especially dangerous with the new ball. He can swing it at high speeds. In the death overs, he uses slower deliveries smartly. He is a wicket-taker and a game-changer.
Opposing batters struggle against his bounce and aggression. His role in breaking partnerships is vital. When Zalmi needs a breakthrough, Joseph is the go-to bowler. If he gets early wickets, Zalmi gains control.
Impactful All-Rounder: Hussain Talat
Hussain Talat brings balance to the Zalmi XI. He is a reliable middle-order batsman. As a left-hander, he breaks the rhythm of bowlers. He can build innings or finish games, depending on the situation.
With the ball, he bowls right-arm medium pace. He is handy in the middle overs. He often provides important breakthroughs. Talat is a smart cricketer. He adjusts to different match scenarios quickly. His all-round abilities give Zalmi more options. He is dependable, experienced, and plays with heart.
Emerging Pakistani Talent: Ali Raza
Ali Raza is a promising 17-year-old fast bowler from Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan. He made a significant impact during the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup semi-final, where he took four wickets for 34 runs against Australia, nearly leading Pakistan to victory. This PSL could be his big breakthrough. Zalmi is backing young Pakistani talent, and Ali leads that group. He is one to watch in 2025.
Peshawar Zalmi Past Players: Legends of the Franchise
Iconic Batsmen
Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal is a true Zalmi legend. He was the backbone of the batting lineup. Akmal scored 1972 runs for the franchise. He is the highest run-scorer in Zalmi history. He smashed three centuries during his time with the team. His quick starts at the top often gave Zalmi the momentum. Akmal was known for his fearless approach. He played aggressive cricket, especially in the power play. Fans loved his energy and commitment. He will always be remembered as a batting hero for the team.
Mohammad Hafeez
Hafeez brought class and experience to Zalmi. He opened the innings and gave stability. His calm batting style balanced the aggressive hitters in the lineup. He was dependable and consistent. Hafeez guided young players and was a leader off the field. In tight matches, Hafeez played crucial knocks. His contribution was more than runs—he brought wisdom to the side.
Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik was a master of finishing games. His calm presence under pressure was vital. Malik contributed both as a batsman and a mentor. He played several match-winning innings. His ability to rotate, strike, and hit boundaries at the right moment made him invaluable. Malik’s experience helped Zalmi in high-pressure situations.
Legendary Bowlers
Wahab Riaz
Wahab Riaz is such an icon for Zalmi. He has taken 94 wickets for the franchise. Batters feared his pace, aggression, and fiery spells. Wahab’s bowling often took place at the toughest possible times of the game. He was the face of Zalmi’s bowling for many years. Fans would cheer every time he would run in to bowl. Wahab’s intensity and leadership made him a true legend of the team.
Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali brought a unique vibrance and spirit into the bowling lineup. Very important wickets were taken, only for them to be celebrated in trademark style. Middle over spells would, most of the time, change the course of play. He was very effective when Peshawar Zalmi clinched the title in 2017. Thus, he emerged as one of the top fan-favorite bowlers in the squad.
Memorable All-Rounders
Darren Sammy
Darren Sammy is not an all-rounder but the epitome of a Zalmi legend. He took the captaincy as the side clinched their first PSL title in 2017. Inspirational would be an understatement to describe his leadership. He whacked the balls into the stands from the batting crease. In bowling, he was impressive in nailing big overs. Their loyalty to the team was tagged with his name and charisma, which left the fans admiring him. Sammy was a global ambassador for Zalmi in International cricket.
Shahid Afridi
In the earliest years of the franchise, Afridi played for Zalmi. He brought charisma and explosive talent. He was among the key breakthroughs with the leg spin. He would pretty much hit a few balls here and there and turn the match in Peshawar’s favor. His teammates drew inspiration from his fearless persona. Afridi turned out to be a fan favorite because of his passion and pride for Peshawar. Hence, Afridi truly led a propelling force in Peshawar Zalmi’s future success.
Peshawar Zalmi Players and Their Connection to Pakistan
Local Players and Fanbase
Peshawar Zalmi has always valued local talent. The franchise gives opportunities to young Pakistani players. Stars like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Mehran Mumtaz have risen through this system. These players have roots in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Their success inspires local youth. Zalmi’s focus on regional talent builds strong community ties. Fans feel connected to the players.
Seeing homegrown stars on the big stage creates pride. It also builds hope for future cricketers in the region. The team’s efforts go beyond cricket. They promote development and identity. Zalmi holds talent hunts and training camps to find hidden gems. This investment in youth sets them apart. Their local-first approach strengthens the franchise and deepens fan loyalty. For many fans, Zalmi is more than a team—it’s a reflection of home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Peshawar Zalmi’s 2025 squad is a strong mix of experience and youth. With Babar Azam leading the team, they are ready for another PSL title. Young players like Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat bring fresh energy. Zalmi’s focus on local talent from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa makes them special. The team is well-balanced, with star power in both batting and bowling. Peshawar Zalmi remains a symbol of pride for their fans and a strong contender in the PSL.
FAQs for Peshawar Zalmi Players 2025
1. Who are the current key players for Peshawar Zalmi?
Key players for Peshawar Zalmi in 2025 include Babar Azam, who leads with calm leadership and consistent batting. Alzarri Joseph is a top pacer known for speed and wickets. Hussain Talat is a reliable all-rounder who helps with both bat and ball. Mohammad Haris brings explosive batting and sharp wicket-keeping. These four players form the core strength of the team.
2. Which Pakistani players are in the Peshawar Zalmi squad?
The squad includes top Pakistani talents like Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Haris. Others are Hussain Talat, Mehran Mumtaz, Arif Yaqoob, Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza, and Aamir Jamal. These players are key to Zalmi’s local identity and team balance.
3. Who are some of the most famous past players for Peshawar Zalmi?
Zalmi legends include Kamran Akmal, the top run-scorer. Wahab Riaz was the leading wicket-taker. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik added experience. Darren Sammy became a fan-favorite and title-winning captain. Shahid Afridi, the most beloved among Pakistanis, featured for Zalmi in the starting seasons.