Pakistan Super League 2019 - Islamabad United team review
The 4th season of the Pakistan Super League has begun. As the league gets set to entertain all the T20 lovers around the world, let's have a closer look at the team Islamabad United.
Shers of Islamabad ready to roar again
With two PSL titles (2016 and 2018) and one playoff finish, Islamabad United is the most successful franchise in PSL history. This season, all the franchises will look to make a dent in Islamad's dominance, hoping to restrict them to the league stage.
Luke Ronchi would once again need to play a big role at the top of the order, while Ian Bell and Hussain Talat would look to enact anchor roles in the middle-order. Asif Ali's firepower with the willow will be an added asset to the side, as seen in the past PSL seasons and for Pakistan.
They are hugely dependent on Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf's all-round skills. Local players are their biggest strength and will play a huge part in their fortunes.
With Misbah-ul-Haq not in the team anymore, there will be a huge void to fill in the experience department. But in Mohammad Sami, they again have opted for the oldest player in the squad to become the captain of the team.
Rumaan Raees and Faheem Ashraf will assist their skipper in the fast-bowling department while Shadab Khan will lead the spin attack.
When compared to other franchises in the league, this season Islamabad lack a bit of star value in their line-up. The departure of T20 stars like Andre Russell, JP Duminy, Alex Hales Sam Billings may very well hurt their chances. The indifferent recent form of a few Pakistani players is also a major cause for concern.
Key Players - Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Luke Ronchi, Faheem Ashraf
PSL Record
--> Matches - 32 | Wins - 20 | Loses - 12 | Tie - 0 | NR - 0
--> Win % - 62.5
--> 2016 - Champions | 2017 - 4th | 2018 - Champions
Squad
Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Amad Butt, Shadab Khan, Luke Ronchi, Faheem Ashraf, Zafar Gohar, Sahibzada,Farhan, Samit Patel, Ian Bell, Philip Salt, Waqas Maqsood, Cameron Delport, Muhammad Musa, Nasir Nawaz, Wayne Parnell, Zahir Khan, Rizwan Hussain
Coach - Dean Jones