Indian Premier League - Pakistan Super League: Combined XI

This edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) culminated with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Islamabad United getting crowned champions in their respective leagues.

Meanwhile, both the leagues witnessed some stellar team efforts along with individual brilliance. Match-winning knocks, game-changing run outs, mind-blowing catches, and some scintillating bowling spells, the cricketing fans witnessed everything possible during the PSL and IPL 2018.

The Super Kings, who were making a comeback after two-year, lifted their third IPL trophy while Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets to lift the PSL trophy

Let us take a look at the combined playing XI of PSL and IPL 2018:

KL Rahul: 

Kings XI Punjab had a poor season, as they lost track midway in the tournament. However, on an individual level, KL Rahul surpassed expectations and became the third highest run-scorer of IPL 2018 with 659 runs from 14 innings.

He smashed six half-centuries and scored the quickest fifty in just 14 balls. His ability to score quick runs on a regular basis garnered him plaudits from all over the country.

Sunil Narine:

The Windies international enjoyed a fabulous IPL with his team Kolkata Knight Riders. Individually, Narine was at his brutal best during the IPL, where he racked up 357 runs and bagged 17 wickets, becoming the fourth player to score 350+ runs and take 15+ wickets in a season.

Narine gave quick starts to KKR with his bat and had an economy of 7.65 with the ball with an average of 27.47.

The player of the tournament in the IPL 2018, Narine’s all-around efforts were central to KKR’s third-place finish in the tournament.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson led the SRH side superbly after David Warner missed out following a ball-tampering scandal.

The 27-year old took over the baton from Warner and went on to become the leading run-scorer of IPL 2018 by hitting 736 runs at a strike rate of 142.22.

He also scored the most half-centuries (8) in the season and shut down his critics in the best possible manner. Williamson was lauded as the backbone of the Hyderabad side.

Babar Azam

The 23-year old scored 402 runs in 11 matches at an average of 40.20. Babar Azam scored five fifties during the tournament, which was the joint highest with Luke Ronchi.

Meanwhile, Azam’s ability to dominate the game with his bat and pace it according to the situation earned him praise from all across the globe.

Rishabh Pant

The Delhi Daredevils’ wicket-keeper batsman enjoyed an astonishing IPL. He was the star of the Daredevils side which failed miserably and ended at the bottom of the league table.

Pant was the leading run-getter during the league stages with 684 runs at a strike rate of a whopping 173.60.

His highlight of the tournament was the unbeaten knock of 128 runs off just 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The youngster, however, does not get the wicket keeper’s gloves in this combined XI.

Shane Watson

The veteran Australian all-rounder enjoyed a fantastic IPL season, but he makes the list for his PSL outing, which was equally brilliant.

Shane Watson continued his brilliant form from the Big Bash League (BBL), scoring 319 runs in the PSL in just ten matches with a strike rate of 135.16, becoming the fifth leading run-scorer of the tournament.

Moreover, he continued it in the IPL giving Chennai good starts and backed it up with an unbeaten century in the final.

MS Dhoni (c/wk)

The former India skipper had an outstanding stint with the bat in this year’s IPL. MS Dhoni took responsibility and finished games on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, Dhoni’s return to CSK was an emotional one, as he led the team to their third IPL title. He scored 455 runs at a strike rate of 150.66, at an average of 75.83 which was the best in the campaign.

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan continued to impress everybody as he picked up 21 wickets in 17 games at an economy of just 6.73. The leg-spinner from Afghanistan was a nightmare for the batsmen, as he bamboozled them with his trickery with the ball.

The 19-year-old sensation didn’t just contribute with the ball but with the bat as well. His game-changing knock of 34 off just ten-ball against KKR was one of the reasons why SRH qualified for the final.

Faheem Ashraf

The Islamabad United all-rounder enjoyed a fabulous season with the ball, as he notched up 18 wickets in just 12 games, which was the highest in PSL 2018. His bowling was one of the main reasons behind the success of Islamabad.

The 24-year old won the best bowler of the season award in PSL 2018 and ended up with the Maroon Cap.

Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye returned with 24 wickets in 14 games and grabbed eyeballs with his brilliant yorkers and knuckleballs. He also bagged the Purple Cap but failed to take his team to the playoffs.

He was the standout performer in the KXIP bowling lineup which struggled a lot throughout the tournament.

The 31-year old notched up four 4-fors during the IPL campaign and was the standout bowler of the tournament.

Usman Khan

The Karachi Kings’ left-arm seamer was one of the standout performers of the PSL 2018. He bagged 16 wickets in just nine matches and was terrific throughout the tournament.

His ability to swing the new ball and bowl yorkers during the death overs impressed many. The 24-year old pacer had a strike rate of 12.00, which was the best in the PSL 2018 season.

Usman received high praises for his consistency from one and all and will like to continue his good run.

Also Read: Those couple of weeks in the IPL gave me huge amounts of confidence – Jos Buttler