Islamabad United: Preview, fixtures and probable lineup for PSL 8

Islamabad United are considered one of the strongest teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) considering their consistent performances over the last seven seasons.

With PSL 8 just around the corner, the two-time champions will once again be among the title contenders under the leadership of star all-rounder Shadab Khan.

After being knocked out in Eliminator 2 of PSL 7, United would be looking to go one step further and lift the trophy this season.

Strengths

Islamabad have always focused on forming a squad which highlights their batting depth and this year is no different.

With the likes of Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, Azam Khan and Rassie van der Dussen in their squad, Islamabad’s batting lineup has the ability to post massive total on the board while also chasing down daunting targets with ease.

Meanwhile, Shadab adds balance to the side since he can bat effectively at multiple positions in the batting order while also bamboozling the batters with his sharp leg-spin bowling.

Shadab’s form will be crucial to Islamabad’s chances during the tournament. The 24-year-old had a remarkable PSL 7 after taking 19 wickets and scoring 268 runs at a strike rate of 162.42. Shadab was the first player to score 250 runs and take more than 15 wickets in a single PSL season.

Weaknesses

Hasan Ali, who is supposed to lead Islamabad’s pace battery, has not been in the best of form in the recent past, which also led to his exclusion from the national side. He only played two T20I matches for Pakistan in 2022.

Explosive batter Asif Ali’s form would also be a concern for Islamabad, since he only scored 79 runs in eight innings, with an average less than 10, during the recently-concluded season of the Big Bash League.

The team also lacks bowlers who can bowl effectively at the death, which is one of the most crucial stages of a T20 match.

Finishing positions in previous seasons

Islamabad United were crowned champions in 2016 and 2018, which makes them the only team to win the title twice.

United beat Quetta Gladiators in the final of the inaugural season by six wickets to clinch the trophy. Meanwhile, in 2018, they defeated Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets in the championship match.

They have also qualified for the playoffs of all the seasons of PSL, expect for 2020.

Islamabad United Squad

Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abrar Ahmed, Sohaib Maqsood, Rumman Raees, Zeeshan Zamir, Hassan Nawaz, Moeen Ali (available from March 14), Mubasir Khan, Tom Curran, Zafar Gohar, Gus Atkinson (partial replacement for Rahmanullah Gurbaz), Tymal Mills (partial replacement for Alex Hales), Rassie van der Dussen (partial replacement for Moeen Ali)

Probable lineup

Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sohaib Maqsood, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Fixtures

16 Feb - Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena

19 Feb - Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium

23 Feb - Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena

24 Feb - Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena

27 Feb - Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium

3 Mar - Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium

5 Mar - Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium

7 Mar - Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium

9 Mar - Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium

12 Mar - Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium

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