Lifting the HBL PSL trophy twice, Islamabad United is the most successful team by far. They also have the title of being the maiden PSL champions. The United squad has been led by different leaders up till now; Misbah ul Haq remained the captain for the first three editions, while Sami Khan captained in 2019. There have been some part-time captains for a few matches as well. However this year, Islamabad management decided to take the services of a young captain, instead of any veteran cricketer, making Shadab Khan their new leader. Being just 21, Shadab is the youngest captain in the history of HBL PSL. Now it is to be seen if Shadab leads from the front and finish at the top of scorecard.
As the season of PSL begins, so begins the reign of Islamabad United.
If you’ve seen any season of PSL, you’d know that Islamabad United is the most dominant team in the league. Islamabad has won 2 out of 4 PSL titles and have been the favourites of all four seasons.
Last season, they were successful enough to make it to the semi finals but were then knocked out by Peshawar Zalmi after an extremely competitive game. For this season, Islamabad United are expected to win again, with an outstandingly strong lineup. Including dynamites like Shadab Khan, Dale Steyn, Colin Ingram waiting to explode.
The team also has extremely dangerous players like Luke Ronchi, Hussain Talat and Rumman Raees. This season is especially promising for United to regain their championship title.
Islamabad United has also included some very talented rising stars like Aqif Javed and Ahmed Safi Abdullah who will be playing an integral part in the season for Islamabad.
Last year, in what was exciting news for the Islamabad United fans, Waqar Younis joined the side as their fast bowling coach. Earlier, they had lost the services of Wasim Akram to Multan Sultans. Australia’s Dean Jones is the head coach while Shoaib Akhtar is the bowling coach for Islamabad United.
Islamabad United has a legacy to carry unlike other teams that will be trying to create their legacies. They will be opening up the league in their clash against Quetta Gladiators on the 20th Feb, 2020.
The complete Islamabad United squad is as follows:
- Shadab Khan
- Faheem Ashraf
- Asif Ali
- Luke Ronchi
- Hussain Talat
- Amad Butt
- Musa Khan
- Rizwan Hussain
- Dale Steyn
- Colin Ingram
- Colin Munro
- Ruman Raees
- Ahmer Safi Abdullah
- Akif Javed
- Zafar Gohar
- Phil Salt
- Saif Badar
- Dawid Malan (replacement pick for Rassie van der Dussen)
With such a brilliant line up, we can only hope that they go easy on the other teams.
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