The Pakistan Super League has completed 9 exciting years, and in these seasons, numerous captains have led their teams with passion, strategy, and resilience. In this Pakistani league, Sarfaraz Ahmed is the most experienced captain, with 80 matches, followed by Shadab Khan with 68 and Mohammad Rizwan with 61.
In the top 10, there is only one foreign captain, Darren Sammy with 39 matches and 1 title. As PSL continues to grow, fans eagerly watch as new leaders rise. Stay tuned for more insights and cricket breakdowns!
Top 10 Most Matches As Captain in PSL
Here is the list of the top 10 PSL captains with the most matches.
| Player | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarfaraz Ahmed (QG) | 80 | 38 | 41 | 0 | 1 | 47.5 |
| Shadab Khan (IU) | 68 | 39 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 57.35 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (MS/RWP) | 61 | 33 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 54.09 |
| Imad Wasim (KK) | 51 | 23 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 45.09 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (LQ) | 50 | 28 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 56 |
| Babar Azam (KK/PZ) | 44 | 17 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 38.63 |
| Daren Sammy (PZ) | 39 | 22 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 56.41 |
| Shoaib Malik (KK/MS/PZ) | 30 | 10 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 33.33 |
| Wahab Riaz (PZ) | 28 | 13 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 46.42 |
| Misbah-ul-Haq (IU) | 26 | 15 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 57.69 |
1. Sarfaraz Ahmed: 80 Matches
Sarfaraz Ahmed led Quetta Gladiators in 80 matches and won 38, giving him a win rate close to 48%. He was one of the longest-serving PSL captains and guided his team to win the title in 2019, making them the most dominant early side. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he contributed both tactically and emotionally, often energizing the team from behind the stumps.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 38 | 41 | 47.50% | 1 |
2. Shadab Khan: 78 Matches
Shadab Khan captained Islamabad United in 68 matches and won 39, achieving a strong 57% win rate, the best among captains with 50+ matches. As a leg-spinner and all-rounder, he maintained team balance while delivering consistent performances. Under his leadership, Islamabad United won the title in 2024.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 39 | 29 | 57.40% | 1 |
3. Mohammad Rizwan: 61 Matches
Mohammad Rizwan captained 61 matches and won 33, resulting in a 54% win rate. He led Multan Sultans to a PSL title in 2021 and maintained consistent performances across seasons. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he contributed heavily with the bat, often scoring runs while leading the team. His leadership style focuses on discipline and consistency, which helped Multan become one of the most stable teams.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 33 | 28 | 54.10% | 1 |
4. Imad Wasim: 51 Matches
Imad Wasim captained Karachi Kings in 51 matches, winning 23 and losing 24, with a win rate of around 45%. Despite average numbers, he led the team to its only PSL title in 2020, a major achievement. As a bowling all-rounder, he contributed in key moments, especially with tight spells.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 23 | 24 | 45.10% | 1 |
5. Shaheen Shah Afridi: 50 Matches
Shaheen Shah Afridi captained 50 matches and won 28, achieving a strong 56% win rate. He is the most successful captain in the tournament’s history with 3 titles in 2022. 2023 and 2025. As a fast bowler, he led from the front, often taking early wickets to set the tone.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 28 | 20 | 56.00% | 3 |
6. Babar Azam: 44 Matches
Babar Azam captained 44 matches but won only 17, resulting in a 39% win rate, the lowest among major PSL captains. Despite being one of the best batters, he often struggled to convert his performances into wins. He never secured a PSL title as captain.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 17 | 27 | 38.60% | 0 |
7. Darren Sammy: 39 Matches
Darren Sammy led Peshawar Zalmi in 39 matches, winning 22 and achieving a 56% win rate. He guided the team to the PSL title in 2017, making him the most successful foreign captain. His leadership combined strong team bonding with consistent on-field performance.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 22 | 16 | 56.40% | 1 |
8. Shoaib Malik: 30 Matches
Shoaib Malik captained 30 matches and won only 10, giving him a low win rate of 33%. His batting contributions were steady, but his captaincy did not translate into consistent results. Statistically, his record is among the weakest in PSL captaincy history.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 10 | 19 | 33.30% | 0 |
9. Wahab Riaz: 28 Matches
Wahab Riaz captained 28 matches and won 13, resulting in a 46% win rate. As a fast bowler, he brought aggression and intensity to leadership. His teams performed competitively but lacked consistency, which affected the overall results. Despite mixed outcomes, his energy and commitment were evident in both bowling and captaincy roles.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 13 | 14 | 46.40% | 0 |
10. Misbah-ul-Haq: 26 Matches
Misbah-ul-Haq captained 26 matches and won 15, achieving a win rate close to 57.69%, the highest among PSL captains. He led Islamabad United to the title in 2016, making him the most successful captain statistically. Despite fewer matches, his efficiency stands out.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 15 | 10 | 57.70% | 1 |
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Conclusion: Sarfaraz Khan Has Played 80 Matches As a Captain
Sarfaraz Ahmed leads with 80 matches, followed by Shadab Khan with 68, Mohammad Rizwan with 61, Imad Wasim with 51, and Shaheen Shah Afridi with 50. In terms of win percentage, Misbah-ul-Haq leads with the highest percentage of 57.7%, and Shadab Khan 57.35%. Overall, these captains made the PSL one of the greatest leagues.
