The best bowling figures in PSL history are 6 wickets for 16 runs, recorded by Ravi Bopara for Karachi Kings against Lahore Qalandars in 2016. That spell came in Sharjah and remains unmatched in terms of wicket-taking control in the league.
At the same time, several other bowlers have reached similar impact. Faheem Ashraf, Umar Gul, and Usama Mir also picked up six wickets in an innings, while names like Shaheen Afridi and Rashid Khan produced very low-run spells.
Let us have a look at the top 10 PSL best bowling figures and their match impact.
PSL Best Bowling Figures – Overview
Here is an overview of the PSL’s best bowling figures, covering top figures, performances, and stats from the league.
| Rank | Player | Figures | Team | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ravi Bopara | 6/16 | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | Sharjah | 2016 |
| 2 | Faheem Ashraf | 6/19 | Islamabad United | Lahore Qalandars | Karachi | 2019 |
| 3 | Umar Gul | 6/24 | Multan Sultans | Quetta Gladiators | Dubai | 2018 |
| 4 | Usama Mir | 6/40 | Multan Sultans | Lahore Qalandars | Lahore | 2024 |
| 5 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 5/4 | Lahore Qalandars | Multan Sultans | Dubai | 2018 |
| 6 | Shahid Afridi | 5/7 | Peshawar Zalmi | Quetta Gladiators | Sharjah | 2016 |
| 7 | Mohammad Sami | 5/8 | Islamabad United | Karachi Kings | Dubai | 2016 |
| 8 | Ihsanullah | 5/12 | Multan Sultans | Quetta Gladiators | Multan | 2023 |
| 9 | Rashid Khan | 5/20 | Lahore Qalandars | Peshawar Zalmi | Abu Dhabi | 2021 |
| 10 | Naseem Shah | 5/20 | Quetta Gladiators | Karachi Kings | Karachi | 2022 |
1. Ravi Bopara – 6/16 vs Lahore Qalandars (2016)
Ravi Bopara’s 6/16 is still the only instance of a bowler taking six wickets while giving under 20 runs in PSL. He completed his full 4-over spell at an economy of just 4.00.
He did not bowl a maiden, but 16 runs across four overs meant Lahore never got momentum. The wickets came across phases, which stopped any recovery.
Karachi Kings used this spell to completely restrict the total. Even today, no bowler has combined six wickets with such low runs, which keeps this performance at the top.
2. Faheem Ashraf – 6/19 vs Lahore Qalandars (2019)
Faheem Ashraf’s 6/19 came at an economy of 4.75, showing control along with wicket-taking ability. He completed his quota of four overs and kept pressure throughout.
He picked wickets regularly instead of in one burst, which made it harder for Lahore to rebuild. Every new batter faced immediate pressure.
This spell is one of the best examples of a fast bowler controlling both runs and wickets together. It remains among the most balanced 6-wicket spells in PSL.
3. Umar Gul – 6/24 vs Quetta Gladiators (2018)
Umar Gul finished with 6/24 from his four overs, maintaining a steady economy of 6.00. His spell showed experience and control rather than speed.
He did not give easy boundary balls, which forced batters to take risks. That is where most wickets came from during the innings.
Even with slightly higher runs than the top two, six wickets made this spell decisive. It showed how pressure bowling still works strongly in T20 cricket.
4. Usama Mir – 6/40 vs Lahore Qalandars (2024)
Usama Mir’s 6/40 is the only six-wicket haul on this list with a double-digit economy of 10.00. This makes it very different from the others.
He attacked throughout his four overs, going for wickets even if runs came. Lahore kept scoring, but kept losing wickets at the same time.
This spell shows a different type of impact. Even with more runs given, taking six wickets in a T20 match still changes the result heavily.
5. Shaheen Afridi – 5/4 vs Multan Sultans (2018)
Shaheen Afridi’s 5/4 is one of the most economical spells in PSL history. He bowled 3.4 overs, including 1 maiden, at an economy of just 1.09.
Giving only 4 runs in nearly four overs while taking five wickets is extremely rare. Multan struggled to even rotate strike.
This spell stands out because of how little scoring was allowed. It remains one of the tightest bowling performances ever seen in PSL.
6. Shahid Afridi – 5/7 vs Quetta Gladiators (2016)
Shahid Afridi delivered 5/7 in four overs with 1 maiden, keeping the economy at 1.75. His spell came in Sharjah, where control mattered a lot.
He used variations smartly, which forced batters into mistakes. The wickets came as pressure built over each over.
This spell showed how experience can dominate T20 matches. Very few bowlers have taken five wickets while giving under 10 runs in the PSL.
7. Mohammad Sami – 5/8 vs Karachi Kings (2016)
Mohammad Sami’s 5/8 came at an economy of 2.00 from four overs. He did not bowl a maiden, but still kept the score very low.
His pace and straight lines made it hard to attack. Batters either defended or got out trying to score.
This spell helped Islamabad United take control early in PSL history. It remains one of the best fast-bowling spells in terms of control and wickets.
8. Ihsanullah – 5/12 vs Quetta Gladiators (2023)
Ihsanullah finished with 5/12 and also bowled 1 maiden, maintaining an economy of 3.00. His pace played a big role in this spell.
He hit hard lengths consistently, which made scoring difficult. Wickets came when batters tried to force shots.
This spell highlighted how young fast bowlers can dominate in the PSL. It was one of the standout performances of the 2023 season.
9. Rashid Khan – 5/20 vs Peshawar Zalmi (2021)
Rashid Khan’s 5/20 came with 1 maiden and an economy of 5.00. His spell was built on control and variation.
He bowled in key phases, especially middle overs, where he slowed down scoring. Batters struggled to read his variations.
This performance showed why Rashid remains one of the most reliable T20 bowlers. He combined control with wicket-taking ability perfectly.
10. Naseem Shah – 5/20 vs Karachi Kings (2022)
Naseem Shah’s 5/20 came from 3.3 overs at an economy of 5.71. He did not complete four overs but still made a strong impact.
His pace and movement created chances regularly. Karachi batters found it difficult to settle.
This spell showed his potential as a strike bowler. Taking five wickets in less than four overs made this performance even more impressive.
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Conclusion: Ravi Bopara Has The Best Bowling In The PSL
Ravi Bopara’s 6/16 still stands as the best bowling figure in PSL, combining wickets with very low runs in a full spell. That balance is what keeps it ahead of others.
At the same time, spells like Shaheen Afridi’s 5/4 and Faheem Ashraf’s 6/19 show different ways bowlers dominate T20 matches, either through tight control or consistent breakthroughs.
With PSL 2026 approaching, more bowlers will get chances to challenge these numbers. Given how the league is evolving, this list could see new entries very soon.
