Sufiyan Muqeem | Top 10 Wicket Takers After 22 Matches in PSL 11

Friends, PSL 11 (2026) has now reached that stage where every match has become a "do or die" situation. If we look at the points table or bowling charts at the end of 22 matches, then the dominance of Peshawar Zalmi is clearly visible everywhere. But the biggest headline of this entire tournament is not any international star, but a 26-year-old left-arm spinner, Sufian Muqeem. Sufian has earned the Maroon Cap (Leading Wicket-Taker) by deceiving big batsmen with his mystery spin. In today's detailed blog, we will talk about Sufiyan's sensational form, the secrets of his success, and the top 5 wicket-takers of the league who have set the season on fire.

PSL 11: Top 5 Wicket-Takers (After 22 Matches)

1. Sufiyan Muqeem: The Mystery Behind the Maroon Cap

Sufian Muqeem has led Peshawar Zalmi's bowling unit from the front this year, and his biggest impact came in the match against Multan Sultans on April 13, 2026. In this high-pressure game, Sufiyan demonstrated what a special talent he is; he entangled world-class and experienced batsmen like Steve Smith and Josh Philippe with his spin, preventing them from taking big shots. His spell of 3/30 proved to be the turning point of the match, earning him the Player of the Match award.

There are three major factors behind Sufiyan's astonishing success that set him apart from other bowlers. The first reason is his fearless bowling; he is a fearless bowler who is not afraid of stopping the ball at any difficult stage of the match, whether it is attacking the batsmen in the powerplay or stopping runs in the death overs. The second major factor is his Chinaman style. His left-arm wrist spin has become an unsolvable puzzle for today's modern batsmen, as this bowling action is very difficult to read. Ultimately, Babar Azam's trust is his biggest strength. Captain Babar brings him into the attack when the team needs wickets the most, and this confidence gives Sufiyan the courage to perform even better.

2. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars) – 10 Wickets

Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi, as always, tops this list. He holds the second spot with 10 wickets. Shaheen's swing with the new ball and his yorkers in the death overs are still a nightmare for batsmen. Although this season has been a bit up and down for the Qalandars, Shaheen's bowling form is absolutely top-class, and he is giving Sufian a tough competition.

3. Iftikhar Ahmed (Peshawar Zalmi) – 9 Wickets

"Ifti-mania" isn't limited to batting! Iftikhar Ahmed has displayed the best bowling form of his career in PSL 11. With 9 wickets, he is at number three. His spell of 4/21 against Hyderabad Kingsmen is considered one of the best spells of this season. Iftikhar has shown that he is a complete all-rounder who can take wickets for Babar Azam at any time.

4. Hasan Ali (Karachi Kings) – 9 Wickets

The biggest joy for Karachi Kings fans is Hasan Ali's return to form. With 9 wickets, Hasan is at number four. His economy rate and "celebration" have both returned to the ground. Hasan has provided crucial breakthroughs for Karachi in the middle and death overs. His ability to reverse swing with the old ball makes him a necessary part of this top list.

5. Shadab Khan (Islamabad United) – 7 wickets

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan concludes the list in the top 5. With 7 wickets, Shadab has led his team's bowling unit. On the Rawalpindi and Karachi pitches, Shadab did not allow batsmen to play freely with his leg-spin. Along with his wickets, Shadab's economy rate (under 7) makes him very effective, as he creates pressure that helps bowlers get wickets at the other end.

Analysis: Battle of Spinners vs. Pacers

An interesting aspect of this season is that among the top 5, three are spinners (Sufiyan, Iftikhar, Shadab) and two are pacers (Shaheen, Hasan). This shows that the pitches in PSL 11 are heavily favoring spinners, or that our spinners have created variations in their bowling that are making it difficult for the batsmen.The secret to Peshawar Zalmi's success lies in their bowling balance. When you have a mystery spinner like Sufiyan and an experienced off-spinner like Iftikhar, it becomes difficult for the opposition to score runs. Sufiyan's 13 wickets after 22 matches is no accident; it's the result of his hard work and skill.

Conclusion: Will Sufiyan retain the Maroon Cap?

The final and crucial matches of the tournament are still remaining. Bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali are targeting Sufiyan. But the way Sufiyan is performing in every match, it seems he's determined to break this year's PSL record. Peshawar Zalmi fans are hopeful that Sufiyan's form will play a key role in their trophy win.