Islamabad United is back for another edition of the PSL. The team is under the command of Shadab Khan, but with major changes being bought in the squad and team management, United seems to be in different color and vibe
Changes in the squad
Islamabad made major changes to its bowling line up where the likes of Hassan Ali and Abrar Ahmed were traded and let go. But in return the United’s have strengthened their bowling by bringing in Naseem Shah. Tom Curran and Tymil Mills will also be featuring for the men in red, thus offering a pacey attack. In the spin bowling department, Imad Wasim has been recruited through a trade with the Karachi Kings. While the young spin all rounder Qasim Akram was also recruited.
Agha Salman was also added in the team, who has been on the rise in the limited overs format for Pakistan. His addition further strengthens the long batting line up of Islamabad United
Strengths
The team’s strength will rely on Naseem Shah who burst into the action with his pace bowling. United is packing with 9 pacers, which gives them an option to choose from.
The squad further compliments the batting strategy of Islamabad United who tend to outsource their upper order batting line up to foreign players as they are more likely to attack freely in the powerplay. With Alex Hales, Colin Munro and Jordon Cox batting in the top, and complemented by Azam Khan’s blitz on the spinners, the team looks great in the batting aspect.
Further, Islamabad loves to bat deep, thus with 7 all rounders, it won’t be surprising if we see their no.9 batter coming in and saving a match for United.
Weaknesses
Having let go of Abrar Ahmed to make space for Imad Wasim may have weakened the spin bowling attack of Islamabad. Along with Shadab not being able to bowl at a consistent line and length, Islamabad’s spin bowling attack will be one of the weakest ones as none of their spinners can spin the ball by huge margins and only rely on just bowling line and length.
Emerging player to look out for
Islamabad has picked Hunain Shah and Ubaid Shah who are the younger brothers of Naseem Shah. It will be pace bowling galore at the Islamabad camp
Squad
Azam Khan, Jordan Cox, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Agha Salman, Tom Curran, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Qasim Akram, Shadab Khan, Mathew Forde, Tymal Mills, Naseem Shah, Rumman Raees, Hunai Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shahab Khan, Shamyl Hussain
Top 5 players to watch
– Naseem Shah
– Alex Hales
– Azam Khan
– Imad Wasim
– Hunain Shah
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