PSL 2021: Islamabad United hunts for third title

The Pakistan Super League (PSL 2021) is just a month ahead and the preparations are already going on. With the HBL PSL draft being done, the schedule has also been on-screened. Each team has made sure to choose the full-strength squad to clinch the HBL PSL 6 title with their deliverances.

Preview and Analysis:

Islamabad United is the only team to win more than one PSL title. They were the winners of the inaugural edition in 2016, where they beat Quetta Gladiators by eight wickets. Then again, in 2018, they defeated Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets. Misbah ul-Haq and JP Duminy were the captains to lead the side in their respective years.

Last season, however, they had the worse season. For the first time, United failed to qualify for the playoffs and came last. They won only three matches out of their ten. It was quite surprising performances from the United team.

Now they will be looking forward to the upcoming season. United has picked some big players on their side, including Hasan Ali, to complete their “Roti gang.” Hasan’s inclusion will strengthen their bowling line-up and lower-order batting, keeping in mind Hasan’s batting.

Along with Hasan were Karachi Kings’ Iftikhar Ahmed and Alex Hales. Hales inclusion caught the fans’ eyes, believing that Hales opening alongside Munro will be a treat to watch.

There will behold for the United; they will be looking to go back to their winning ways and target their third PSL title.

PSL 2021: All you need to know about Islamabad United

Here is the squad:

Platinum: Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Alex Hales,

Diamond: Colin Munro, Faheem Ashraf, Lewis Gregory

Gold: Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Phil Salt

Silver: Zafar Gohar, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Reece Topley, Iftikhar Ahmed

Supplementary: Chris Jordan, Akif Javed

Emerging: Mohammad Wasim, Ahmed Saifi

Here is the schedule:

Match	Match #	Date	Day	Venue	Time
Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans	3	21st February	Sunday	Karachi	TBD
Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings	6	24th February	Wednesday	Karachi	TBD
Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi	10	27th February	Saturday	Karachi	TBD
Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators	12	1st March	Monday	Karachi	TBD
Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars	15	4th March	Thursday	Karachi	TBD
Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators	17	6th March	Saturday	Karachi	TBD
Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings	20	7th March	Sunday	Lahore	TBD
Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars	24	12th March	Friday	Lahore	TBD
Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans	26	13th March	Saturday	Lahore	TBD
Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi	29	15th March	Monday	Lahore	TBD

List of released and retained players: PSL 2021

Retained: Alex Hales (platinum), Shadab Khan (platinum), Asif Ali (gold), Hussain Talat (gold), Colin Munro (diamond), Faheem Ashraf (diamond), Musa Khan (silver), Zafar Gohar (silver)

Released: Akif Javed, Luke Ronchi (unavailable), Dale Steyn, Phil Salt, Rassie Van Der Russell, Rizwan Husain, Saif Badar, Rumman Raees, Ahmed Safi Ullah, Amad Butt

Also, see:

PSL 2021: Top three local players to watch for