When it comes to the Pakistan Super League, nothing gets fans talking louder than the Powerplay overs. Those first six overs are pure drama, it’s basically like the new ball zipping around, fielders squeezed inside the circle, and batsmen looking to smash every delivery into the stands. It’s that high-voltage phase where you either set the tone for a record-breaking total or watch your top order walk back in a hurry.
So, what’s the highest Powerplay score in PSL? Over the years, we’ve seen teams like Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United light up those first six overs with fearless batting. Some starts were so explosive that by the time the field spread out, the opposition was already on the back foot. In this article, we’ll break down the rules, revisit the biggest Powerplay records, and relive those unforgettable PSL moments where six overs changed everything.
What is Powerplay in PSL Cricket?
If you’ve ever sat glued to a PSL match, you know the game doesn’t ease you in gently. It throws you straight into the Powerplay. In the Pakistan Super League, just like in other T20 formats, the Powerplay covers the first six overs of an innings. And here’s the kicker: during this phase, the fielding side is handcuffed with restrictions. Only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, which means acres of space for batsmen to cash in on.
Think of it as the PSL’s version of a “fast-track lane”, where batsmen like Fakhar Zaman or Kamran Akmal go full throttle, and bowlers have to summon all their skill (and a bit of luck) to survive. The powerplay rules in PSL are designed to inject instant excitement into the game: no slow starts, no easy breathing space. It’s six overs of pure intent.
Why does this matter so much? Because in the PSL, pitches can be flat and boundaries small. If openers fire, you could see 60, 70, or even 80 runs on the board before the seventh over. But if the bowlers strike early, suddenly the flashy batting line-up is on the back foot, and the whole match takes a different shape.
Highest Powerplay Score in PSL History
Ask any PSL fan and they’ll tell you: the Powerplay can win or lose you the game. And over the years, we’ve seen some outrageous batting in those first six overs. So, what’s the record?
The highest Powerplay score in PSL history is 78/1 by Lahore Qalandars against Peshawar Zalmi in 2018. Fakhar Zaman was the architect of that blitz, tearing into the bowlers as if every ball had “hit me for four” written on it. By the time the field spread out, Peshawar’s bowlers were already gasping for air.
But Lahore isn’t the only side to go berserk in the Powerplay. Teams like Karachi Kings and Islamabad United have also produced jaw-dropping starts that had fans rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
Here’s a look at the Top 5 Highest Powerplay Scores in PSL history:
Top 5 Powerplay Scores in PSL
| Rank | Team | Score (Overs 1–6) | Opponent | Year | Key Batsman(s) |
| 1 | Lahore Qalandars | 78/1 | Peshawar Zalmi | 2018 | Fakhar Zaman |
| 2 | Karachi Kings | 75/0 | Multan Sultans | 2021 | Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam |
| 3 | Islamabad United | 73/2 | Quetta Gladiators | 2019 | Luke Ronchi |
| 4 | Peshawar Zalmi | 72/1 | Karachi Kings | 2020 | Kamran Akmal |
| 5 | Multan Sultans | 71/0 | Lahore Qalandars | 2022 | Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan |
These explosive starts show exactly why the Powerplay is the most thrilling part of PSL cricket. One fearless six-over assault can tilt the game before it’s even had a chance to breathe.
Why Powerplay Matters in PSL Matches
In the Pakistan Super League, the Powerplay isn’t just six overs, it’s the launchpad. How a team handles this phase often dictates the script of the entire match. A blazing start can put 70 runs on the board and leave the opposition scrambling, while a poor Powerplay with early wickets can push even star-studded batting line-ups onto the back foot.
Take Karachi Kings in 2021, for example. When Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam piled on 75 runs in the Powerplay against Multan Sultans, the contest felt one-sided before the 7th over even began. On the flip side, there have been nights where bowlers like Shaheen Afridi or Wahab Riaz ripped through the top order in those very overs, turning what looked like a run-fest into a survival battle.
What makes the Powerplay so thrilling in PSL is the unpredictability. Pakistani pitches can be batting paradises, but they also assist seamers under lights. So, it becomes a chess game: Do you go all-out swinging, or play measured cricket and save wickets? Get it right, and you’re halfway to victory. Get it wrong, and those six overs can haunt you for the rest of the night.
Factors Behind Big Powerplay Scores in PSL
Not every team can go berserk in the Powerplay, it takes the right mix of players, pitch, and bravery. Here are the main ingredients that usually cook up those jaw-dropping six-over totals in the PSL:
Aggressive Openers
Every PSL franchise knows the value of sending out a power-hitter at the top. Think Fakhar Zaman smashing length balls into the stands, or Sharjeel Khan lofting spinners over cover like he’s playing in the nets. Openers with no fear can turn the Powerplay into a nightmare for bowlers before they even settle.
Pitch & Ground Conditions
Pakistani grounds are famous for their flat batting tracks and lightning-fast outfields. On days when the ball barely swings, batsmen have a license to tee off. Smaller boundaries in venues like Sharjah (when PSL was held there) made six-hitting look ridiculously easy, inflating Powerplay scores.
Bowling Attack & Match-Ups
Sometimes it’s less about the batsman and more about the poor bowler at the other end. A rookie pacer serving half-volleys under pressure? That’s dinner time for PSL openers. On the other hand, when teams face bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, or Rashid Khan in the Powerplay, suddenly those six overs don’t look like a party anymore.
It’s this combination: fearless batsmen, batting-friendly conditions, and mismatched bowling that creates the unforgettable PSL powerplay records fans still talk about.
Top Powerplay Performances in PSL
While team records grab the headlines, it’s often individual brilliance that lights up the Powerplay. Some batsmen in the PSL have turned those six overs into their personal highlight reels, smashing boundaries for fun and putting bowlers under crushing pressure.
Take Fakhar Zaman, for instance. Few players in the PSL strike fear in bowlers’ minds the way he does when the field is up. His ability to clear the infield consistently has given Lahore Qalandars some of their most explosive starts. Similarly, Kamran Akmal has been a nightmare for bowlers with his fearless slogging, often turning games in Peshawar Zalmi’s favour before the field could spread out. And then there’s Sharjeel Khan, whose strike rate in the Powerplay has given Karachi Kings some of their most memorable batting displays.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the best individual batting Powerplay contributions in PSL history:
Best Individual Powerplay Performances in PSL
| Player | Team | Runs in Powerplay | Opponent | Year | Notable Shots |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | 55 (off 21 balls) | Peshawar Zalmi | 2018 | 6 fours, 4 sixes |
| Sharjeel Khan | Karachi Kings | 54 (off 22 balls) | Multan Sultans | 2021 | 5 sixes, 5 fours |
| Kamran Akmal | Peshawar Zalmi | 49 (off 18 balls) | Karachi Kings | 2020 | 4 sixes, 5 fours |
| Luke Ronchi | Islamabad United | 46 (off 19 balls) | Quetta Gladiators | 2019 | 7 fours, 2 sixes |
| Shan Masood | Multan Sultans | 44 (off 20 balls) | Lahore Qalandars | 2022 | 6 fours, 1 six |
These blitzes prove that the Powerplay isn’t just about numbers, it’s about setting the tone, electrifying the crowd, and forcing the opposition into panic mode. When a batsman gets going in those overs, it can feel like the game is slipping away before it’s even started.
Comparison: PSL vs IPL Powerplay Records
It’s almost impossible to talk about T20 Powerplays without pulling the PSL vs IPL card. Both leagues have given fans unforgettable six-over carnivals, but how do the records stack up?
In the PSL, the highest Powerplay score is 78/1 by Lahore Qalandars against Peshawar Zalmi in 2018. It was an innings defined by Fakhar Zaman’s fireworks, proving how destructive openers can be when the field is up.
Now, shift gears to the IPL, and the numbers go nuclear. In 2017, Kolkata Knight Riders smashed 105/0 in six overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore, a record that still stands tall in franchise cricket history. The sheer difference shows the IPL has had slightly more explosive Powerplay starts, partly because of flat batting tracks and even bigger hitting depth in squads.
Here’s a quick comparison:
PSL vs IPL Powerplay Records
| League | Highest Powerplay Score | Team | Opponent | Year | Key Batsman(s) |
| PSL | 78/1 | Lahore Qalandars | Peshawar Zalmi | 2018 | Fakhar Zaman |
| IPL | 105/0 | Kolkata Knight Riders | RCB | 2017 | Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine |
While the IPL edges ahead in raw numbers, the PSL’s Powerplays often feel more unpredictable. With bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Rashid Khan sharing the new ball, batsmen in Pakistan rarely have it easy. That’s what makes a big Powerplay score in the PSL even more special — it’s not just a batting show, it’s a battle against some of the world’s toughest bowlers.
Conclusion
The Powerplay in PSL has always been about raw energy, fearless batting, and high drama. From Fakhar Zaman’s blistering starts for Lahore Qalandars to Sharjeel Khan’s boundary-hitting carnivals, those six overs have produced some of the league’s most unforgettable moments. The record of 78/1 by Lahore Qalandars in 2018 still stands tall as the highest Powerplay score in PSL history, a reminder of how much damage can be done before the field even spreads out.
What makes PSL Powerplays so thrilling is the unpredictability: one night the batsmen are rewriting record books, the next night the bowlers are running riot with early wickets. And that’s why fans love it: in just six overs, the match narrative can flip completely.
As the PSL continues to grow with every season, one thing is certain. Fans will always be watching those first six overs with bated breath, waiting for the next record-breaking Powerplay to explode onto the scorecards.