Islamabad United heads into the sixth version of PSL trying to bounce again from a disappointing marketing campaign final time round. They revamped their squad with superstars Alex Hales and Hasan Ali and crammed out the remainder of the gaps of their group. Kiwi opener Colin Munro’s absence may harm them, however the group’s administration is adamant that they nonetheless have a robust squad to deal with his absence.
ALSO READ
[Exclusive Interview] Saeed Ajmal Isn’t a Fan of The PSL 6 Anthem
Captain: Shadab Khan
Coach: Johan Botha
Assistant coach: Saeed Ajmal
Bowling coach: Rumman Raees
Finest End: Champions (PSL 1 and PSL 3)
Final yr end: Sixth
Strengths
Islamabad United has all the time had a squad crammed with all-rounders and this time is not any completely different. They’ve a bunch of all-rounders that may affect the sport in any facet. Faheem Ashraf is in pink sizzling type with the nationwide group and might be trying to proceed that within the PSL. Shadab Khan himself was a revelation with the bat in his earlier marketing campaign and might be raring to go after regaining full health.
Islamabad drafted in English all-rounder Lewis Gregory as properly. Gregory has made a reputation for himself in franchise T20 leagues and is named a tough hitter within the decrease order and his medium tempo bowling has troubled the batsmen most of the time.
Hussain Talat, Zafar Gohar, and Iftikhar Ahmed are greater than able to hurting opponents with each the bat and the ball.
Islamabad might be boosted by the arrival of Johan Botha as their coach as properly. Botha is famend for his shrewd pondering and proved himself to be a wonderful T20 captain for South Africa beforehand. Botha will present the group a recent perspective after a disappointing final season.
Weaknesses
Islamabad United’s tempo bowling assault appears susceptible. Though they’ve drafted Hasan Ali, who’s in terrific type, the group nonetheless appears quick within the quick bowling division. English quick bowler, Reece Topley, might be unavailable for many of the marketing campaign after being chosen within the England T20I squad. Other than Hasan Ali, solely Musa Khan is the real pacer accessible for all the PSL.
Faheem Ashraf might be anticipated to supply the primary risk together with the 2 pacers. Faheem’s bowling has witnessed a decline ever since he suffered a shoulder harm, virtually a yr in the past.
Islamabad’s top-order appears fragile as properly. Islamabad was closely counting on Colin Munro to companion Alex Hales on the high of the order. Their plans took a success as Munro introduced his choice not to participate within the match this yr.
Their celebrity opener Luke Ronchi had already opted out of the match, which leaves an enormous hole on the high of the order. Islamabad might be trying to change Munro with an analogous kind of participant.
ALSO READ
An Evaluation of Islamabad United’s Workforce Mixture & Possible Taking part in XI
Celebrity
Shadab Khan and Alex Hales are wonderful cricketers and Islamabad might be trying in direction of them to supply the impetus, however Islamabad’s celebrity this yr is Hasan Ali.
Hasan Ali’s type is beautiful, he led Central Punjab to the ultimate of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy just lately and was named man of the match. He made a comeback to the nationwide aspect and picked up his first ten-wicket haul within the Take a look at collection in opposition to South Africa.
Hasan had struggled from harm points for a very long time, however a totally match Hasan Ali is an asset for each Pakistan and Islamabad United. Hasan’s vitality is his most significant attribute, his by no means say die angle and his management qualities and to not point out his friendship with Shadab and Faheem will show helpful for United.
Hidden Gem
Zafar Gohar has been the most effective performers in Pakistan home circuit for the previous few years. Though he hasn’t performed as a lot for Islamabad as he would have appreciated, Gohar has all the time risen to the event when given an opportunity.
He is a superb left-arm spinner and is kind of useful with the bat too. If the pitches in Karachi are as spinner pleasant as seen within the first Take a look at match between Pakistan and South Africa, then Gohar can show to be a trump card for Islamabad United.
Predicted End
Judging by the variety of choices and their wonderful recruitment, Islamabad has all of the instruments to go on and win their third title. Solely time will inform if that may occur or not, however Islamabad appears set to be topped champions of PSL as soon as once more.
Our predicted end for Islamabad United is runners-up.
Islamabad’s squad:
| Shadab Khan (c) | Alex Hales | Hasan Ali |
| Colin Munro* | Faheem Ashraf | Lewis Gregory |
| Asif Ali | Phil Salt (wk) | Zafar Gohar |
| Hussain Talat | Musa Khan | Iftikhar Ahmed |
| Rohail Nazir (wk) | Reece Topley** | Mohammad Waseem Jnr. |
| Ahmed Safi Abdullah | Chris Jordan** | Akif Javed |
* Alternative TBA
**Partially accessible
Islamabad’s Fixtures
| Match No. | Date | Fixture | Time | Venue |
| 1 | Sunday, 21 February | Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans | 7:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 2 | Wednesday, 24 February | Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United | 7:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 3 | Saturday, 27 February | Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United | 7:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 4 | Monday, 1 March | Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators | 7:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 5 | Thursday, 4 March | Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United | 7:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 6 | Saturday, 6 March | Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators | 2:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 7 | Sunday, 7 March | Islamabad United v Karachi Kings | 7:00 pm | Nationwide Stadium Karachi |
| 8 | Friday, 12 March | Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars | 7:00 pm | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 9 | Saturday, 13 March | Multan Sultans v Islamabad United | 7:00 pm | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 10 | Monday, 15 March | Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi | 7:00 pm | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |