APL 2018 - Team of the Tournament 

Balkh Legends won the inaugural edition of Afghanistan Premier League. In a one-sided final, they thrashed Rashid Khan lead Kabul Zwanan by 4-wickets & 11 balls to spare. Qais Ahmad's brilliant spell of leg-spin ensured that the strong batting line-up of Balkh Legends had to chase only 133.

Parnell struck in the first over with couple of strikes by removing Munro and Rasooli. But Gayle's quick fire fifty ensured maiden title for Balkh Legends. Qais Ahmad declared 'Man of the Match' for his 5-wicket haul. Rashid Khan was 'Player of the Tournament' for his pyrotechnics through out the league.

Here is the complete list of all the awardees :

¤ Rashid Khan | Kabul Zwanan adjudged Player of the Tournament

¤ Darwish Rasooli | Balkh Legends named Emerging Player of the Tournament

¤ Mohammad Shahzad | Paktia Panthers declared as Emerging Player of the Tournament

¤ Isuru Udana | Paktia Patriots adjudged Bowler of the Tournament

¤ Hazratullah Zazai | Kabul Zwanan wins Catch of the Tournament

As the inaugural season of APL comes to an end, we'll have a look at the 'Team of the Tournament'.

Openers

#1 Mohammad Shahzad(wk) | Paktia Panthers ¦¦ #2 Hazratullah Zazai | Kabul Zwanan

* M Shahzad is the leading run scorer in the tournament

Afghanistan keeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad is known for his aggressive brand of cricket. And, he didn't disappoint his home crowd and franchise as he finished as the top run scorer in the league with 344 runs in just 9 innings and deservedly won 'Batsman of the Tournament' award. He is one of the opener in this team.

* Hazratullah Zazai scored the only 💯 of APL

His opening partner is APL's new sensation Hazratullah Zazai. The 20-yr old Kabul Zwanan opener wreaked havoc in the tournament with his power hitting skills. The lone century in the league also belongs to his name. He got 322 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 193.98, highest for any batsman in the tournament with min. of 250 runs. All his pyrotechnics made him the second opener in this list ahead of T20 GOAT Chris Gayle who got 315 runs in just 7 innings at 172.13 strike rate.

Middle-Order

#3 Darwish Rasooli | Balkh Legends ¦¦ #4 Laurie Evans | Kabul Zwanan ¦¦ #5 Ryan ten Doeschate | Balkh Legends

Teeneger Rasooli showed immense maturity throughout the league and ended with 213 runs in 7 innings. His impressive show earned him 'Emerging Player of the Tournament' award. Laurie Evans with his consistent performances occupies no.4 slot. His average of 61 is the best in the league.

And, at No.5 is Netherlands former captain Ryan ten Doeschate. The 38-yr old had two 50+ scores to his name and his vast experience in T20 leagues all around the world makes him a perfect choice to stick the middle-order together.

* Rasooli won Emerging Player of the Tournament 🏆 award

All-Rounders

#6 Mohammad Nabi(C) | Balkh Legends ¦¦ #7 Rashid Khan(VC) | Kabul Zwanan

* M Nabi has the highest strike rate in the league

No one can imagine a team XI of the tournament without Afghanistan's stalwarts M Nabi & Rashid Khan. M Nabi led victorious Balkh Legends campaign and played a perfect & crucial role as a power-hitter for his team. He is the only batsman in the league with 200+ strike rate. He also took 9 wickets.

* Rashid Khan - Player of the Tournament 🏆

Rashid Khan continued his pyrotechnics in APL and emerged as 'Player of the Tournament'. He mesmerized with his all-round abilities throughout the tournament. His sensational knocks with the bat made more buzz on the social media rather than his bowling. He even along with Nabi, tops the list of players with highest strike rate in the tournament(min. 150+ runs).

Bowlers

#8 Karim Janat | Kandahar Knights ¦¦ #9 Sayed Shirzad | Kandahar Knights ¦¦ #10 Isuru Udana | Paktia Panthers ¦¦ #11 Qais Ahmed | Balkh Legends

Karim Janat's economical bowling and Isuru Udhana's aggressive bowling played a key role in Kandahar Knights bowling attack. It'll be a career turning tourney for the Sri Lankan paceman. Karim Janat is also handy with the bat. Karim was also pretty handy with the bat. He scored 128 runs in the league.

* Isuru Udhana won Bowler of the Tournament award

Sayed Shirzad's left arm pace bowling has been a revelation in the season. The left-hander bamboozled batsman and took crucial wickets for his team. He took 16 wickets in just 8 innings. And, the final place goes to the man of the final Qais Ahmad who took 15 wickets which included a 5-wicket haul in the final.

'Calypso King' Chris Gayle is my 12th man on this list. Hazratullah's sensational tournament left Gayle out of this list.