After finishing last last year, Islamabad United has brought in South African Johan Botha as head coach
KARACHI: After a dreadful PSL last year, Islamabad United, the most successful franchise of the country's premier T20 cricket tournament, will be looking forward for a fresh start under a new coach.
The winners of 2016 and 2018 finished at the bottom last year — their worst ever performance in the league’s history since its inception.
After finishing last under coaching of Misbah ul Haq, Islamabad United has brought in South African Johan Botha to replace the former Pakistani captain.
Read more: Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United announce player replacements
They have also added firepower to their batting by trading off Colin Ingram to Karachi Kings and bringing in Alex Hales back to their side.
Despite not being a regular for England, Hales is in red-hot form and is still one of the most sought after batsmen in T20 Cricket.
They’re also reinforced with the arrival of fast bowler Hasan Ali who recently made a remarkable comeback to competitive cricket following an injury.
However, they’re surely going to miss the services of Colin Munro who pulled out of the league. The New Zealander had to pull out after being unable to book a suitable quarantine slot when he would have returned home after participating in the league.
Read more: Islamabad United confident about lifting trophy for third time
But the franchise has included Australia’s Fawad Ahmed in the squad to replace Munro.
The move will surely increase the strength of United’s spin attack on Pakistani conditions.
Along with the captain Shadab Khan, Fawad Ahmed and Zafar Gohar, Islamabad’s spin unit is looking formidable.
The player to watch out for from United’s ranks will be young Mohammad Wasim junior.
Read more: Rumman Raees joins Islamabad United as bowling consultant after injury
The emerging cricketer has recently showed his talent during domestic season and proved himself as one of the quickest bowlers in the country. He also has the ability to hit the ball hard out of park.
| Alex Hales | Asif Ali | Faheem Ashraf |
| Hussain Talat | Musa Khan | Shadab Khan |
| Zafar Gohar | Hassan Ali | Lewis Gregory |
| Phil Salt | Rohail Nazir | Iftikhar Ahmed |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | Ahmed Saifi Abdullah | Paul Stirling |
| Ali Khan | Fawad Ahmed | Zeeshan Zameer |
Fixtures:
| Date | Team |
| February 21 | Multan Sultans |
| February 24 | Karachi Kings |
| February 27 | Peshawar Zalmi |
| March 1 | Quetta Gladiators |
| March 4 | Lahore Qalandars |
| March 6 | Quetta Gladiators |
| March 7 | Karachi Kings |
| March 12 | Lahore Qalandars |
| March 13 | Multan Sultans |
| March 15 | Peshawar Zalmi |