PSL Islamabad United team

The euphoria surrounding the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is coming to a head with the tournament all set to take off in February next year. Islamabad United are getting ready for the same with some shrewd moves in the player auctions.

The side were bought by the UAE Capital Venture group for $1.5 million US dollars and they have put some very able minds in charge of the side. Former Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram has been named as the director with Australian Dean Jones as the head coach. Shoaib Akhtar is the bowling coach for Islamabad United.

Islamabad will be led by Pakistan captain Misbal ul Haq in the PSL next year. There are some big Pakistan internationals in the side which include Mohammad Irfan, Ashar Zaidi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Sami and Saeed Ajmal among others.

Although Sami is past his prime and only featured in the Bangladesh Premier League earlier this year, he showed that he still possesses the cunning which helped him establish himself in the national team. Saeed Ajmal is one of the best spinners in world cricket currently if not the best.

He has been dogged by controversies with respect to his bowling action off late but the man is a real handful with the ball. Irfan on the other hand, has been firing on all cylinders for Pakistan and will look to do the same for Islamabad United.

They have also made very important international additions. Shane Watson, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Brad Haddin, and Sam Billings all offer different dimensions in the side. Watson and Russell are world class operators with both bat and ball. Russell in particular could be extremely destructive and is an asset to have if the team is chasing.

Badree is a proven spinner while Haddin’s retirement means that he will be available for the complete duration of the tournament. The former Australia wicket-keeper has been doing well in the Big Bash League this year. Billings did well in England’s tour of UAE as they took on Pakistan and the team management took note of the same.

The team is beautifully balanced on paper and they can go in with a variety of combinations. Also, with the kind of coaches they have, it will be very disappointing if they do not go very far in the tournament.

PSL Islamabad United Squad 2016

• Misbah ul Haq (Captain)
• Mohammad Irfan
• Sharjeel Khan
• Khalid Latif
• Mohammad Sami
• Babar Azam
• Imran Khalid
• Kamran Ghulam
• Umar Amin
• Rumman Raees
• Amad Butt
• Ashar Zaidi
• Saeed Ajmal
• Hussain Talat
• Umar Siddiq

list of Foreign players;

• Shane Watson
• Andre Russell
• Samuel Badree
• Brad Haddin
• Sam Billings