Tag: Islamabad United

Defending champions Islamabad United have been dealt an early blow ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 opener, as Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey has opted out of the tournament.

United are all set to begin their title defense today against Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. But just hours before the big clash, news broke that Carey would not be joining the squad due to domestic commitments in Australia.

Carey was roped in as a partial replacement for South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen, who is yet to arrive in Pakistan.

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The management of Islamabad United has now confirmed that Carey will not be available for the upcoming season, a decision that weighs heavily on the team. They have also shared encouraging news that Van der Dussen is anticipated to join the squad shortly.

The loss of a seasoned player like Alex Carey, renowned for his composed demeanor and adeptness in high-stakes moments, creates a noticeable void in the team’s depth as they prepare to embark on the tournament.

His absence leaves a pivotal gap that will be felt on and off the field, as his experience is invaluable in guiding younger players through the pressures of competition.

PSL 10 will feature 34 matches between April 11 and May 18 across four venues — Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan.

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Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is set to host 13 matches, including the two Eliminators and the final. Rawalpindi, which hosts tonight’s opener, will stage 11 games, including the first Qualifier.

Meanwhile, Karachi and Multan will each host five matches. The schedule also includes three double-headers — two on Saturdays and one on Labour Day (May 1).

Islamabad United Squad for PSL 10

Shadab Khan (c), Matthew Short, Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Jason Holder, Ben Dwarhuis, Salman Ali Agha, Haider Ali, Andries Gous, Colin Munro, Muhammad Nawaz, Rumman Raees, Salman Irshad, Alex Carey, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood, Riley Meredith, Rassie van der Dussen.

READ: Corbin Bosch penalised by PCB for violating PSL contract

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United revealed their new bowling coach on Wednesday after Azhar Mahmood departed, ahead of the upcoming 10th edition of the league.

Three-time PSL winner Islamabad United parted ways with Azhar due to his commitment with the Pakistan men’s cricket team.

The former bowling all-rounder has been replaced by Ian Buttler, who played eight Tests, 26 ODIs, and 19 T20Is for New Zealand from 2002 to 2013.

“Islamabad United, the most successful franchise in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, is pleased to announce Ian Butler as the team’s bowling coach for PSL 10,” United said in a statement.

“At the same time, the franchise bids farewell to Azhar Mahmood, who is currently working with the Pakistan national team.”

“Azhar played a key role in Islamabad United’s success both as a player and a coach, winning PSL 1 in 2016 as a player and as an assistant coach in 2024,” the statement added.

Ian Butler expressed his excitement after the appointment as bowling coach of Islamabad United.

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“I’m really excited to be part of Islamabad United for PSL 10. This will be my first experience coaching in Pakistan, and I’ve heard great things about the passion for cricket here.”

“Islamabad United has a fantastic legacy in the PSL, and I’m looking forward to working with the talented bowling group to help the team push for another title,” he said.

Former pacer also lauded Azhar Mahmood’s services for the franchise and expressed his hope of building on his work.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Azhar Mahmood, who has done a fantastic job with this team, and I hope to continue building on that,” he concluded.

Read: Quetta Gladiators name Sarfaraz Ahmed as team director for PSL 10

Naseem Shah, the pace spearhead of Islamabad United, expressed excitement about playing with Australia’s Riley Meredith and Matthew Short in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.

Short, who boasts an impressive strike rate of 146.46 in T20 cricket, was roped in by Islamabad United in the first round of the platinum category during the PSL 10 Player Draft.

Meanwhile, Meredith, who is a right-arm pacer, was picked later in the Supplementary category. He has picked 142 wickets across 113 T20 games at an average of 24.26.

“I’m really excited to see two players in particular joining Islamabad United this season: Riley Meredith and Matt Short,” Naseem Shah said in a statement released by Islamabad United.

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“Riley’s pace and bounce are something special, and I think he’s going to light up the league. Pakistani fans are passionate about fast bowling, and we love express pace—Riley fits that perfectly.

“What can I say? I’m just glad we won’t have to bowl to him [Short]! He has the ability to dismantle any attack in no time.

“He’s as destructive as they come, and I think he’ll absolutely love playing at our home ground in Rawalpindi.”

It’s worth noting that along with Meredith and Short, Islamabad United also picked Australian left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis, who has bagged 176 T20 wickets at an average of 22 in 140 games.

Islamabad United squad for PSL 10

Matthew Short, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan (all Platinum), Imad Wasim (mentor) and Azam Khan, Jason Holder (both Diamond), Ben Dwarhuis, Salman Ali Agha (Brand Ambassador) and Haider Ali (all Gold), Andries Gous, Colin Munro, Muhammad Nawaz and Rumman Raees, Salman Irshad (all Silver), Hunain Shah, Saad Masood (both Emerging)

Supplementary – Riley Meredith and Rassie van der Dussen

READ: PCB releases video showcasing progress of Gaddafi Stadium’s renovation

KARACHI: Imad Wasim’s all-round exploits steered Islamabad United to their third Pakistan Super League title with a thrilling victory over Multan Sultans in the blockbuster PSL 9 final here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.

Set to chase 160 for their third PSL title, Islamabad United had a flying start to the pursuit as their new opening pair of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill scored 20 off the first two overs.

But the duo failed to continue the flying start as Munro fell victim to Khushdil Shah on the first delivery of the fourth over. He made 17 off 13 with the help of four boundaries.

The United then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Salman Ali Agha (10) and Shadab Khan (4) perished after scoring cheaply.

But Guptill remained firm and kept the scoreboard ticking in a crucial fourth-wicket partnership with Azam Khan before a mix-up drew curtains on his tremendous knock.

He remained the top-scorer for the United with a 32-ball 50, peppered with four boundaries and three sixes.

Azam then partnered with Imad Wasim for a brief 19-run partnership, which lasted in the 16th over, courtesy of a brilliant DRS by Mohammad Rizwan off Usama Mir.

He smashed four boundaries and a six on his way to a 22-ball 30.

The United then sustained another massive blow to their pursuit as in-form Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf walked back in consecutive overs, bringing the equation down to 129/7.

The two-time champions then needed 31 off 17 deliveries with Imad and Naseem Shah at the crease.

The duo batted sensibly and brought the United in touching distance before Mohammad Ali dismissed Naseem Shah with a bumper on the penultimate delivery.

Islamabad United needed one run off the final delivery with Hunain Shah on the strike. The No.10 batter sensibly guided the ball towards the third-man region to steer his team over the line.

For the Sultans, Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah bagged two wickets each while Usama Mir, Mohammad Ali and David Willey struck out a batter apiece.

Opting to bat first, the Sultans managed to register a subpar total on the board in the PSL 9 final despite Usman Khan’s anchoring half-century and Iftikhar Ahmed’s late onslaught.

The Sultans got off to a dismal start to their innings as their young opener Yasir Khan (6) fell victim to Imad Wasim in the second over.

Promoted to bat at No.3, vice-captain David Willey (6) had a brief stay at the crease as he too, fell victim to Imad after hitting the latter for a six.

Following the slump, Usman Khan then joined his skipper Mohammad Rizwan in the middle and the duo launched recovery.

The pair added 53 runs for the third wicket before Rizwan fell victim to his United counterpart Shadab Khan in the 10th over after scoring a run-a-ball 26.

Usman then took reigns of the Sultans’ batting expedition and put together brief partnerships with Johnson Charles and Khushdil Shah before perishing in the 16th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the Sultans with a gutsy 57 off 40 deliveries, laced up with seven boundaries and a six.

His dismissal sparked a lower middle-order collapse, triggered by Imad Wasim’s sensational last over, who returned with tremendous bowling figures of 5/22 in his four overs.

Consequently, the Sultans had been reduced to 127/9 in 17 overs before Iftikhar Ahmed launched a counterattack.

The right-handed batter smashed three boundaries and as many sixes on his way to a blistering 32-run cameo which came off just 20 deliveries.

Besides Imad, skipper Shadab chipped in for the United with the ball in the PSL 9 final, picking up three wickets for 32 runs in his quota of four overs.

READ: Wanindu Hasaranga comes out of Test retirement for Bangladesh Tests

KARACHI: Multan Sultans have won the toss and elected to bat first against Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 Final here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.

PLAYING XIs

Alex Hales has been benched and Colin Munro is back in the side while Multan Sultans are unchanged.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 15, Islamabad United 7, Multan Sultans 8

READ: Usman Khan picks better captain between Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed

KARACHI: Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan and his Multan Sultans’ counterpart Mohammad Rizwan posed with the Orion Trophy ahead of the highly-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 final, scheduled on Monday.

To ignite the hype of the cricket enthusiasts, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday, arranged a captains’ photo shoot at Karachi’s Custom House.

The theme of the photo shoot was inspired by the metropolitan city’s renowned mini-bus.

Following the photo shoot, both captains shared their views ahead of the blockbuster PSL 9 final.

Mohammad Rizwan, who led Sultans to their third consecutive PSL final under his captaincy, expressed his excitement for the big match but at the same time refrained from taking the toll of the big-match pressure.

“We are playing the fourth consecutive final. Everyone in the team is excited but for me, the game is just like a season opener,” stated Rizwan.

Whereas, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan was upbeat about playing the PSL final after a gap of six years.

“Our team bonding has always been top notch and we have stayed like a family and play like United,” Shadab said.

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Both captains also requested the fans to come and fill the iconic National Bank Cricket Stadium in the PSL 9 final.

For the unversed, Multan Sultans enjoyed a dream run in the ongoing PSL 9 as the former champions became the first team to qualify for the Playoffs.

The Sultans then outclassed Quetta Gladiators in their final group-stage fixture to end as the table toppers with 14 points in 10 matches.

The 2021 champions then eased past Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier to make their way into the final.

On the contrary, Islamabad United had a campaign full of ups and downs, the two-time champions had a forgetful start to their campaign but soon regrouped and got back on the winning track.

They then edged Sultans in their last fixture to seal their place in the Playoffs.

The United then emerged victorious in two consecutive knockout matches against Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi respectively and made their way to the PSL 9 final.

READ: Shahid Afridi wants Mohammad Amir to take back international retirement

KARACHI: Multan Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan on Sunday, downplayed the hype of the highly-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 final, stating that he would approach it as a normal game.

Rizwan, who led Sultans to their third consecutive PSL final under his captaincy, expressed his excitement for the big match but at the same time refrained from taking the toll of the big-match pressure.

“We are playing the fourth consecutive final. Everyone in the team is excited but for me, the game is just like a season opener,” stated Rizwan.

Whereas, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan was upbeat about playing the PSL final after a gap of six years.

“Our team bonding has always been top notch and we have stayed like a family and play like United,” Shadab said.

Both captains also requested the fans to come and fill the iconic National Bank Cricket Stadium in the PSL 9 final.

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For the unversed, Multan Sultans enjoyed a dream run in the ongoing PSL 9 as the former champions became the first team to qualify for the Playoffs.

The Sultans then outclassed Quetta Gladiators in their final group-stage fixture to end as the table toppers with 14 points in 10 matches.

The 2021 champions then eased past Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier to make their way into the final.

On the contrary, Islamabad United had a campaign full of ups and downs, the two-time champions had a forgetful start to their campaign but soon regrouped and got back on the winning track.

They then edged Sultans in their last fixture to seal their place in the Playoffs.

The United then emerged victorious in two consecutive knockout matches against Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi respectively and made their way to the PSL 9 final.

READ: Shadab Khan ‘hopeful’ of Imad Wasim taking back retirement

Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan has showered praise on team-mate Imad Wasim and expressed hope that the seasoned all-rounder will consider taking back retirement from international cricket.

Imad Wasim led Islamabad United to back-to-back victories in the playoffs of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 and propelled to the final against Multan Sultans.

The left-handed all-rounder scored an unbeaten 59 off 40 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries to guide Islamabad United to a fighting five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator 2 of PSL 9 yesterday.

Shadab Khan stressed the value Wasim can bring to the national team if he considers reversing his retirement ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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“In fact, when Imad made the decision, I had also told him that I didn’t want him to leave. Because Pakistan needs players like him,” said Khan during the post-match press conference.

“God willing, if there is a discussion with him, hopefully, he will come back because the World Cup is approaching and the way he is performing and his experience in CPL, Pakistan definitely needs him,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wasim, who stunned the cricket fans in November last year with a shocking retirement from international cricket, has kept the door open for his comeback to international cricket.

“I made a name for myself while playing for Pakistan and if my country needs me, I will be available. If not, I have no issues with that,” Wasim told local media last week.

READ: Shahid Afridi wants Mohammad Amir to take back international retirement

KARACHI: An unbeaten 98-run partnership between Haider Ali and Imad Wasim scripted a hard-fought victory for Islamabad United over Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here on Saturday.

Two-time victors Islamabad United will now face 2021 champions Multan Sultans in the PSL 9 final, scheduled at the same venue on Monday.

Set to chase 186, the United amassed the total for the loss of five wickets and six balls to spare at the back of a magnificent sixth-wicket partnership between Imad and Haider.

The United had a contrasting start to the pursuit as they lost three wickets inside four overs with just 21 runs on the board.

In-form opener Martin Guptill offered brief retaliation, the highlight of which was a 22-run over against Saim Ayub, before falling victim to Khurram Shehzad on the last delivery of the batting powerplay.

He remained a notable contributor for the United with a 21-ball 34, peppered with five boundaries and a six.

With the scoreboard reading 50/4 in six overs, Azam Khan joined Imad in the middle in a bid to launch recovery.

The pair batted sensibly for around five overs until Luke Wood cleaned up Azam (22) on the last delivery of the 11th over to dent United’s recovery.

With half of their batters back in the dugout, the United faced a stiff challenge to score 95 runs in 54 deliveries.

But, Haider Ali came out all guns blazing and turned the game on its head with clean hitting, easing the pressure off Imad, who also started to score freely.

The duo dominated Zalmi bowlers at the backend with both scoring half-centuries before Imad finally smashed Wood for a boundary to take United into the PSL 9 final.

Imad top-scored for the United with an unbeaten 59 off 40 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries while Haider struck two boundaries and five sixes on his way to a 29-ball 52.

Saim Ayub led the bowling attack for Peshawar Zalmi with 2/34, followed by Wood, Mehran Mumtaz and Shehzad, who took one each.

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Put into bat first, Zalmi got off to a solid start to their innings as their in-form opening pair of Babar Azam and Saim once again laid the platform for a formidable total.

Saim dominated the opening stand while Babar anchored through with a cautious knock until falling victim to Naseem Shah with 72 runs on the board.

He went hard at a length delivery by Naseem but could not get a hold of the cross-batted strike and Shadab Khan took a sensational catch.

Babar scored a scratchy 25 off 22 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and a six.

Saim was then joined by Haris in the middle and the pair made sure to carry on the momentum with their 59-run partnership until the former finally perished in the 15th over.

Saim Ayub remained the top-scorer for Peshawar Zalmi with a 44-ball 73 with the help of six boundaries and four sixes.

Haris followed his footsteps in the next over as he coped with a soft dismissal against Naseem. He smashed three boundaries and two sixes on his way to a 25-ball 40.

Later, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Aamer Jamal’s brisk cameos lifted Zalmi’s total past the 180-run mark.

Naseem Shah led the bowling attack for the United with 3/30 in his four overs while Shadab and Obed McCoy picked one each.

It is worth mentioning here that the winner of Eliminator 2 will take on 2021 champions Multan Sultans in the PSL 9 final, scheduled to take place on Monday at the same venue.

READ: Imad Wasim comments on his international cricket comeback

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to field first against Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 2 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 here at National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Rovman Powell, Aamir Jamal, Luke Wood, Mehran Mumtaz, Arif Yaqoob, Khurram Shahzad

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Martin Guptill, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Obed McCoy

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 23, Peshawar Zalmi 12, Islamabad United 11

READ: Imad Wasim comments on his international cricket comeback