Today let’s do Islamabad United Squad Analysis for PSL 2023. The logo of the team shows a lion which depicts aggression.

Islamabad United is a team of all-rounders. Most bowlers are also batters. They bat deep. The team has very aggressive and gun batters. One player can win them the match if he stays at the crease with the likes of Colin Munro,  Rehmanullah Gurbaz, Alex Hales, Azam Khan, and Asif Ali.

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan has claimed that his team will follow an aggressive strategy during the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“Our aim is to pick a team based on data that plays a very modern style of play. Winning and losing is part of the game, but we want to set new trends as a team,” Shadab tweeted.

Islamabad United History

Islamabad United (ISLU) is a Pakistani professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that competes in Pakistan Super League. The team was formed in 2015 as a result of the formation of the Pakistan Super League by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The franchise is owned by Leonine Global Investments through its sports entity, Leonine Global Sports. The company has bought the Islamabad Franchise rights of the Pakistan Super League with a mission to create a franchise that provides a truly global experience in sports entertainment. Islamabad United crowned two PSL trophies currently the most by any team.

Islamabad United Owners

The franchise is owned by Leonine Global Investments through its sports entity Leonine Global Sports, owned by Amna Naqvi and Ali Naqvi.

When PSL 8 will Start

The 3rd best cricket T20 league in the world will kick start from the next year 2023 from February 9 to March 19 with Karachi, Multan, Lahore, and Rawalpindi selected as host venues for PSL 8.

Islamabad United Players Retention List for PSL 2023

With the draft of PSL 8 just a few days ago, the teams are revealing their retentions for the upcoming season. Islamabad United has retained eight of its star players in different categories.

Islamabad United have retained their captain and ace all-rounder, Shadab Khan in the Platinum category.
The franchise’s power hitter, Asif Ali, and bowler, Mohammad Wasim Jr will remain in the Diamond category. Asif Ali has also been designated Islamabad United’s brand ambassador and vice-captain. Furthermore, the franchise has reserved Hasan Ali, Azam Khan, and Faheem Ashraf in the Gold category.

Islamabad United have also retained two foreign players in their team. Irish batter, Paul Stirling, and New Zealand’s Colin Munro have been locked in the Silver category, while the latter will also serve as the team’s mentor. This means that Islamabad United retained their core players from many seasons.

The retentions will be followed by a draft, where sides can select 18 players for 2023. Players have been divided into the following categories – Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging, and Supplementary. All the teams are required to complete a squad of 18 players, which will include three players each in the platinum, diamond, and gold categories, five in the silver category, two in emerging, and up to two in supplementary categories.

Eight Retained Players of Islamabad United for PSL 2023

1. Shadab Khan (Platinum) 2.Asif Ali (Diamond and Brand Ambassador also Voice captain) 3. Muhammad Waseem (Diamond) 4. Hassan Ali (Gold) 5. Faheem Ashraf (Gold) 6. Azam Khan (Gold) 7.Paul Stirling (Silver) 8. Colin Munro (Silver).

Islamabad United Draft Picks of PSL 2023

PSL 8 draft was held on 15th December 2022 in Karachi. In the Platinum category, Islamabad United picked Alex Hales and Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz. In the diamond category, Islamabad United picked Afghanistan pace bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi. In the silver category, picked mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed Pakistan’s new magician with the ball. Also, the other two silver categories picked were Sohaib Maqsood and Rumman Raees. In the emerging category, went for Hassan Nawaz and Zeeshan Zameer. For the supplementary category, they went for Moeen Ali and Mubasir Khan.

Islamabad United Complete Squad for PSL 2023

1. Shadab Khan-Captain (Platinum) 2. Alex Hales (Platinum & Overseas) 3. Rahmatullah Gurbaz (Platinum & Overseas) 4. Asif Ali (Diamond, Brand Ambassador) 5.Muhammad Waseem Jr (Diamond),6. Fazalhaq Farooqi (Diamond)7. Hassan Ali (Gold) 8. Faheem Ashraf (Gold)9.Azam Khan (Gold)10.Paul Stirling(Silver & Overseas)11.Colin Munro (Silver & Overseas ),12. Abrar Ahmed (Silver & Overseas) 13.Sohaib Maqsood (Silver)14. Rumman Raees (Silver)15. Hassan Nawaz(Emerging)16. Zeeshan Zameer(Emerging),17. Moeen ali (Supplementary & Overseas), 18. Mubasir Khan (Supplementary).

Islamabad United Captain for PSL 2023

In PSL 8, Shadab Khan will continue to captain Islamabad United. He proved his leadership abilities during the previous season also. He gave his all in every game, inspiring other players to fight in good spirits.

Islamabad Coaching Staff for PSL 2023

Azhar Mahmood is the head coach of the Islamabad United. Saeed Ajmal as Assitant Coach. James Franklin is bowling coach. Hanif Malik as Performance coach. Ashley Wright as Batting coach.  Rehan ul Haq as General Manager.

Multan Sultans 3rd and 4th Supplementary Picks for PSL 2023

PCB decided to increase the size of players to 20. The six HBL Pakistan Super League franchises beefed up their squads in the replacement draft that took place over a conference call on Wednesday. The six HBL Pakistan Super League franchises beefed up their squads in the replacement draft that took place over a conference call on 25.01.2022.

The six teams added players to their squads in the third and fourth supplementary pick rounds before naming replacements for the players who were partially or fully unavailable. Each side could pick a maximum of one foreign cricketer in the two supplementary rounds.

Islamabad United picked Tom Curran as 3rd supplementary player. Islamabad United picked Zafar Gohar as 4th supplementary player.

Islamabad United – Supplementary: Tom Curran and Zafar Gohar.

Replacement picks of Islamabad United for PSL 2023

Rovman Powell, David Miller, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein and Tabraiz Shamsi will potentially be unavailable to their franchises from 8 March onwards due to bilateral limited-overs series between the West Indies and South Africa.

Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Jason Roy are potentially unavailable because of the England versus Bangladesh limited overs series to their franchises from 26 February till 14 March. Alex Hales will join the HBL PSL 8 from 26 February onwards. Tim David will join the tournament on 3 March. Jordan Cox will be available to Lahore Qalandars from 21 February as he is on the England Lions tour of Sri Lanka.  Wanindu Hasaranga will leave the tournament from 3 March.

Islamabad United picked Gus Atkinson and Tymal Mills for Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Alex Hales. In the Diamond category, Islamabad United reserved their pick for Fazalhaq Farooqi. Islamabad United reserved their pick for Moeen Ali.

Islamabad United picked Rassie van der Dussen for PSL 2023

Islamabad United Best Playing XI for PSL 2023

1. Alex Hales/Hassan Nawaz /Rehmanullah Gurbaz 2. Paul Stirling/ Colin Munro 3. Rassie van der Dussen 4. Azam Khan 5. Asif Ali 6. Shadab Khan. 7. Faheem Ashraf 8. Hassan Nawaz/ Mubasir Khan 9. Abrar Ahmed 10. Hassan Ali 11. Zeeshan Zameer/Rumman Raees.

Islamabad United Squad Strengths for PSL 2023

They will go all guns blazing in PSL 8. All are gun players. Their main strength will be that they will play an aggressive and fearless brand of cricket. Gun batters, powerful all-rounders. No doubt their batting is well-balanced and powerful.
Islamabad United has many match winners in the team. One batter can change the course of the game. They will play bold as they have a very long batting lineup. 70% they will rely on their batting to win them the match by chasing any score or scoring at least 200 scores in every match.

In the bowling department, the addition of Rumman Raees and Ibrar Ahmad, Shadab Khan and Hassan Ali are good ones. Hassan Ali is getting the form back.

Their captain is also their most powerful strength. Shadab Khan is a young, energetic leader. He wants to play a fearless brand of cricket. Also lead the team from the front in all game departments like bowling, batting, and fielding. He is a 3D player always involved in the game with his potent skills and energy.

Islamabad United Squad Weaknesses for PSL 8

There is some leakage in the bowling department. But overall a balanced best side. Hassan Ali, Rumman Raeed, Ibrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf all are in good form now. Overall a balanced side.

Final Conclusion

I simply say a gun team in batting. PSL 8 team is chosen to keep in mind that they want to play a fearless and attacking brand of cricket. Every batter is just a gun and has an attacking instinct. Especially to mention Alex Hales most runs scored in the T20 season 2022 in the world. He is million dollar player. Also, Colin Munro will destroy any team in his heyday. They are a formidable side in batting. Their core strength is their batting aggression and destruction of the opposition team. Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan also came back to form. The inclusion of Ibrar Ahmed and Rumman Raees also made their bowling now lethal and balanced. My choice is Multan Sultan and Islamabad United will play the final of the PSL 8.

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