PESHAWAR ZALMI spinner Sufiyan Muqeem (L) celebrates with captain Babar Azam after taking a wicket during the Pakistan Super League match against Multan Sultans at the National Bank Stadium. —Courtesy Peshawar Zalmi KARACHI: When Sufiyan Muqeem marks his run-up at the bowling crease, the fall of opposition wickets appears almost inevitable. Such has been the pattern the left-arm wrist spinner has established this HBL Pakistan Super League season for Peshawar Zalmi. Largely introduced into the attack by captain Babar Azam during the crucial middle overs, Sufiyan has made it a habit of striking regularly.

In doing so, the 23-year-old has collected 13 wickets in five PSL outings so far — averaging just under 10 and conceding a miserly 6.45 per over — to sit atop the bowling charts. Sufiyan’s latest masterclass came on Monday night at the National Bank Stadium, where his spell of 3-30 proved decisive in Peshawar Zalmi’s 24-run victory over Multan Sultans. Chasing 197, the Sultans looked comfortable at stages, but Sufiyan’s variations and control turned the tide.

He removed key players including Josh Philippe and Ashton Turner, applying the brakes as the asking rate soared. The southpaw’s resurgence in the PSL has been nothing short of a redemption arc after he was dropped from the Pakistan side despite a promising start to his international career two years ago — four ODIs yielding eight wickets at 22.75 and 19 T20Is producing 27 scalps at 14.74. However, selectors moved on, leaving the young spinner to reassess and rebuild.

That setback might have dented confidence. Instead, it triggered a professional response. Back with Zalmi, Sufiyan has displayed the composure and hunger that first caught the selectors’ attention.

“Whenever I give him the ball as a captain, I have confidence that he’ll pick up a wicket for me somewhere,” Babar said after the Multan match. “When he goes for the kill, he’s not a bowler who gets hit easily. In my opinion, he’s a big asset for Pakistan, and going forward, he’ll serve Pakistan a lot with the way he’s bowling.” Babar added that Sufiyan still needed improvement but was progressing steadily.

“He talks to the coaches. After every match, he asks, ‘Where can I do better?’” the Pakistan stalwart noted. That attitude — humble, inquisitive and relentless — has been evident in Sufiyan’s ability to deliver under pressure, mixing flight, dip and sharp turn on unresponsive surfaces.

Zalmi’s fielding coach Azhar Ali echoed the skipper’s views, highlighting the rarity of left-arm wrist spin and the control Sufiyan has shown. “Left-arm wrist spin is quite rare and it’s hard to bowl accurately. The way he has bowled with control and temperament is impressive because in T20 cricket the best batters come after you and you have to be brave — and he has been brave,” Azhar said.

Sufiyan’s journey mirrors many Pakistani cricketers — from tape-ball roots in AJK to structured cricket in Rawalpindi, followed by domestic performances that earned him a national call-up. Early success in T20Is promised much, yet the competitive nature of selection meant even brief lapses could cost a place. For Zalmi, his role goes beyond numbers.

In an attack featuring the pace of Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, Sufiyan offers control and variety. Peshawar remain unbeaten so far in the PSL, carrying momentum into the business end of the tournament. At 23, Muqeem’s story is still unfolding.

The national door that closed may yet reopen if he sustains this form. For now, his focus remains clear: executing plans, learning constantly and answering critics one spell at a time. As Babar observed, persistence brings rewards.

In Sufi­y­an’s case, quiet determination is rapidly translating into match-winning performances on the biggest domestic stage. Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026