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PSL 6 preview : Shadab Khan holds the key for Islamabad United's success in 2021
- Thread starter MenInG
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Islamabad Stole the picks here with Malan and khawaja. Both are great picks, and an Australian player will always be better than any batsmen in our domestic circuit.
Islamabad also holds an advantage in terms of foreign players. With Ali Khan, Fawad and Usman, they have foreign expats or Pakistani background players. Meaning that it would be easier to convince them to stay back if some lockdown sort of thing happens.
Other Foreign players might not want to stay back
Islamabad also holds an advantage in terms of foreign players. With Ali Khan, Fawad and Usman, they have foreign expats or Pakistani background players. Meaning that it would be easier to convince them to stay back if some lockdown sort of thing happens.
Other Foreign players might not want to stay back
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Hassan Ali speaking to Islamabad United:
When I joined Islamabad United, I was a little nervous, there was pressure on me since I was the first round platinum pick. That pressure was converted into confidence because of the atmosphere of the team. Initially it was easy for me to adjust because of our roti-gang of Shadab, Faheem, Asif Ali & myself. Then overall there is such a friendly environment that all players feel at home. It is run like a family & I am happy to be part of the family.
I am all geared up for the Abu Dhabi leg of this PSL, I hope to win matches for my team and to entertain everyone. During this pandemic, Islamabad United will try to bring more smiles to everyone’s faces through our entertaining cricket. Always remember: United We Win
When I joined Islamabad United, I was a little nervous, there was pressure on me since I was the first round platinum pick. That pressure was converted into confidence because of the atmosphere of the team. Initially it was easy for me to adjust because of our roti-gang of Shadab, Faheem, Asif Ali & myself. Then overall there is such a friendly environment that all players feel at home. It is run like a family & I am happy to be part of the family.
I am all geared up for the Abu Dhabi leg of this PSL, I hope to win matches for my team and to entertain everyone. During this pandemic, Islamabad United will try to bring more smiles to everyone’s faces through our entertaining cricket. Always remember: United We Win
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Shadab Khan has been cleared to feature in the remaining HBL Pakistan Super League 6 matches for Islamabad United - Shadab has completed seven weeks of the required eight weeks of rehabilitation from a left toe injury he sustained batting during the second ODI against South Africa.
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Replacement draft:
Islamabad United have picked Mohammad Akhlaq
Islamabad United have picked Mohammad Akhlaq
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Islamabad United have not made selections for their 20th player which they will make later, if needed.
Squad as of now:
Islamabad United – Shadab Khan (c), Ahmed Saifi Abdullah, Ali Khan, Akif Javed, Asif Ali, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Usman Khawaja, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Zameer
Squad as of now:
Islamabad United – Shadab Khan (c), Ahmed Saifi Abdullah, Ali Khan, Akif Javed, Asif Ali, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Akhlaq, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Usman Khawaja, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Zameer
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Who did they replace Mohammad Akhlaq with?
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Meanwhile, Islamabad United have roped in left-handed batsman Umar Amin and West Indies opener Brandon King. The latest additions mean they have now have a complete 20-player squad.
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Message from Shadab Khan to ISU fans:
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 80%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/rkewxf" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 80%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/rkewxf" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
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Islamabad United have confirmed that Brandon King has replaced Janneman Malan
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Pictures (courtesy of the PCB) of Islamabad United squad practicing ahead of the Abu Dhabi leg of PSL 6
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Pictures of Islamabad United practice
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Usman Khawaja "I have really enjoyed the company of Saeed Ajmal. I think he is hilarious and I have enjoyed chatting with him. He's got a great energy about him and whilst he is not playing, I still call him a local celebrity in the team" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL6?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1401116939771170816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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"Nice to play in the PSL in UAE but I would like to play in Pakistan in the future" : Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja speaking to the media:
Pakistan connection
"I left for Australia from Pakistan when I was 4 so I still remember the house, I still remember playing cricket with my brothers and I remember it very well; I visited Pakistan twice after we moved to Australia so I do have memories of Islamabad."
"I was really looking forward to playing in Pakistan but it's unfortunate we can't play there at the moment; I have never played there in my life so I was really looking forward to playing there. Of course it's still nice to play in the PSL but I would like to play in Pakistan in the future."
"Growing up, I always wanted to play for Australia but I never thought I would be playing for a Pakistani team because there was no [Pakistani] T20 competition, especially the PSL about 6 years ago."
On attraction of playing in leagues like PSL
"Just playing in a high level competition is great so I have played in BBL, IPL, T20 Blast although CPL didnt work out due to timing. The opportunity to play against world-class players in T20 cricket around the world - which is a chance you don't usually get, unless you are playing international cricket - so that's the beauty of it; it's a bit like playing in the English Premier League where you get to play against world-class players."
"There a lot of good players in each country but at any time only 11 can represent their country which doesn't mean that others are not good enough so a tournament like this opens it up a little and showcases how much talent and skills there is in the world, even though it's not international cricket."
Heat in Abu Dhabi
"It's bloody hot out here! It's the humidity which is the killer; I am used to a bit of humidity from back home in Queensland but this humidity is next level and closest that it comes to in terms of experience is when I played in Colombo."
"T20 cricket is the only format in cricket where batting is harder than bowling; bowlers only bowl 4 overs but when you are batting, you could be bat for 10 overs and in those overs, you could be sprinting 10 twos, with a few ones and threes in between also; so with the gear and helmet on, I have always found that if you do stay on and score runs for 10 overs then batting can be even harder."
Getting along with the new team and Saeed Ajmal
"I have got along with all the guys, I'm trying to get to know all of them and it's always hard to get into a new team, remembering their names etc; but the guys have been very accommodating and they have been taken aback by the fact that I can understand and speak Urdu - whether it's broken Urdu or not I can communicate with them - they have been pretty excited by that."
"I have really enjoyed the company of one of the guys I played against before - Saeed Ajmal - I think he is hilarious and I have been enjoying talking and chatting with him; he's got a great energy about him and whilst he is not playing in the group, I call him a local celebrity in the team and I have really enjoyed his company."
Usman Khawaja speaking to the media:
Pakistan connection
"I left for Australia from Pakistan when I was 4 so I still remember the house, I still remember playing cricket with my brothers and I remember it very well; I visited Pakistan twice after we moved to Australia so I do have memories of Islamabad."
"I was really looking forward to playing in Pakistan but it's unfortunate we can't play there at the moment; I have never played there in my life so I was really looking forward to playing there. Of course it's still nice to play in the PSL but I would like to play in Pakistan in the future."
"Growing up, I always wanted to play for Australia but I never thought I would be playing for a Pakistani team because there was no [Pakistani] T20 competition, especially the PSL about 6 years ago."
On attraction of playing in leagues like PSL
"Just playing in a high level competition is great so I have played in BBL, IPL, T20 Blast although CPL didnt work out due to timing. The opportunity to play against world-class players in T20 cricket around the world - which is a chance you don't usually get, unless you are playing international cricket - so that's the beauty of it; it's a bit like playing in the English Premier League where you get to play against world-class players."
"There a lot of good players in each country but at any time only 11 can represent their country which doesn't mean that others are not good enough so a tournament like this opens it up a little and showcases how much talent and skills there is in the world, even though it's not international cricket."
Heat in Abu Dhabi
"It's bloody hot out here! It's the humidity which is the killer; I am used to a bit of humidity from back home in Queensland but this humidity is next level and closest that it comes to in terms of experience is when I played in Colombo."
"T20 cricket is the only format in cricket where batting is harder than bowling; bowlers only bowl 4 overs but when you are batting, you could be bat for 10 overs and in those overs, you could be sprinting 10 twos, with a few ones and threes in between also; so with the gear and helmet on, I have always found that if you do stay on and score runs for 10 overs then batting can be even harder."
Getting along with the new team and Saeed Ajmal
"I have got along with all the guys, I'm trying to get to know all of them and it's always hard to get into a new team, remembering their names etc; but the guys have been very accommodating and they have been taken aback by the fact that I can understand and speak Urdu - whether it's broken Urdu or not I can communicate with them - they have been pretty excited by that."
"I have really enjoyed the company of one of the guys I played against before - Saeed Ajmal - I think he is hilarious and I have been enjoying talking and chatting with him; he's got a great energy about him and whilst he is not playing in the group, I call him a local celebrity in the team and I have really enjoyed his company."
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Didn't know Khawaja could speak Urdu, think he would prove a shrewd selection for Islamabad.
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Very fluent but with an accent. Some questions asked of him were complicated but he did best to answer.
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Pictures courtesy of Islamabad United
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KARACHI: Usman Khawaja is no stranger for Pakistan cricket fans because he was born in Islamabad. One of sport’s true journeymen, the 34-year-old left-hander hasn’t played for his adopted country Australia since the Ashes series of 2019.
Having never played in the land of his birth, Khawaja would be turning up for Islamabad United — two-time former champions of the HBL Pakistan Super League when action finally resumes after the sixth edition was abruptly halted in Karachi due to the Covid-19 pandemic striking the tournament in the first week of March.
The soft-spoken Khawaja, while saying he was thrilled at the unexpected opportunity of being picked in the player redraft after several first-choice overseas signings became unavailable for the rescheduled competition, told reporters during a virtual online media conference on Saturday that he would be enjoying every moment coming his way during the June 9-24 PSL extravaganza.
“Look, it’s probably six games or possibly seven or eight depending on [if Islamabad make] the final. Everything helps if one is performing well and if you help your team with runs and win big games it all helps. But I think it is too far because if one does well back in domestic competitions that probably a bit more weight playing here,” Khawaja said.
“I love playing cricket and I’m definitely looking forward to playing in the PSL something I’ve never done [before]. And although we can’t play in Pakistan [for obvious reason], it’s still nice to be playing in the PSL. Hopefully in the future, I would love to play in the country of my birth. Unfortunately, for the moment, I’m not able to visit Pakistan where I’ve never played in my life.
“Hopefully, I look forward to the day when I do get a chance to play and playing among the fans. Whilst I was growing up, my ambitions were to play for Australia but I never thought of representing a Pakistani team because there was no T20 cricket then!”
To a query posed in Urdu, Usman surprised all by answering quite expertly in the same language.
“People speak of fast-bowling standard very high in the PSL. Spinners are equally good and Pakistan also have good fast bowlers and spinners but since I haven’t played in Pakistan, I can’t compare,” he said.
“I think pitches in the subcontinent and UAE are more or less the same. On Australia pitches the bounce is quite high and even.
“I think the ball tends to skid more on the UAE pitches and since all matches are in one place [Abu Dhabi the spinners will dominate].
“Having said that I have fair idea of playing in these conditions because I have had played in India, Sri Lanka and the UAE before. At the end of the day, how you figure it counts because whatever it’s a battle between bat and ball,” Khawaja quipped.
Khawaja further stated playing the PSL would give him opportunities of rubbing shoulders against to players. ”I think the beauty of franchise-based league is that you get to play against a number of quality players. That for me is a plus point because you seldom get that sort of a chance. I’ve played the BBL [Big Bash League] in Australia, the T20 Blast in England and the IPL [Indian Premier League] before coming to the PSL.
“Obviously from my perspective, playing in the PSL will be challenging because that’s how I can improve [as a cricketer] since I’m [currently] not playing international.”
Reminiscing his early life in Islamabad, Khawaja remarked: “I still remember the house [where lived] and I do remember quite well playing with my brothers. We actually visited [Islam*abad] after moving to Australia. I do have memories of Islamabad.”
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2021
Having never played in the land of his birth, Khawaja would be turning up for Islamabad United — two-time former champions of the HBL Pakistan Super League when action finally resumes after the sixth edition was abruptly halted in Karachi due to the Covid-19 pandemic striking the tournament in the first week of March.
The soft-spoken Khawaja, while saying he was thrilled at the unexpected opportunity of being picked in the player redraft after several first-choice overseas signings became unavailable for the rescheduled competition, told reporters during a virtual online media conference on Saturday that he would be enjoying every moment coming his way during the June 9-24 PSL extravaganza.
“Look, it’s probably six games or possibly seven or eight depending on [if Islamabad make] the final. Everything helps if one is performing well and if you help your team with runs and win big games it all helps. But I think it is too far because if one does well back in domestic competitions that probably a bit more weight playing here,” Khawaja said.
“I love playing cricket and I’m definitely looking forward to playing in the PSL something I’ve never done [before]. And although we can’t play in Pakistan [for obvious reason], it’s still nice to be playing in the PSL. Hopefully in the future, I would love to play in the country of my birth. Unfortunately, for the moment, I’m not able to visit Pakistan where I’ve never played in my life.
“Hopefully, I look forward to the day when I do get a chance to play and playing among the fans. Whilst I was growing up, my ambitions were to play for Australia but I never thought of representing a Pakistani team because there was no T20 cricket then!”
To a query posed in Urdu, Usman surprised all by answering quite expertly in the same language.
“People speak of fast-bowling standard very high in the PSL. Spinners are equally good and Pakistan also have good fast bowlers and spinners but since I haven’t played in Pakistan, I can’t compare,” he said.
“I think pitches in the subcontinent and UAE are more or less the same. On Australia pitches the bounce is quite high and even.
“I think the ball tends to skid more on the UAE pitches and since all matches are in one place [Abu Dhabi the spinners will dominate].
“Having said that I have fair idea of playing in these conditions because I have had played in India, Sri Lanka and the UAE before. At the end of the day, how you figure it counts because whatever it’s a battle between bat and ball,” Khawaja quipped.
Khawaja further stated playing the PSL would give him opportunities of rubbing shoulders against to players. ”I think the beauty of franchise-based league is that you get to play against a number of quality players. That for me is a plus point because you seldom get that sort of a chance. I’ve played the BBL [Big Bash League] in Australia, the T20 Blast in England and the IPL [Indian Premier League] before coming to the PSL.
“Obviously from my perspective, playing in the PSL will be challenging because that’s how I can improve [as a cricketer] since I’m [currently] not playing international.”
Reminiscing his early life in Islamabad, Khawaja remarked: “I still remember the house [where lived] and I do remember quite well playing with my brothers. We actually visited [Islam*abad] after moving to Australia. I do have memories of Islamabad.”
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2021
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Pictures from Islamabad practice
marlonbrowndo
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If someone who has been utterly useless for 3 years holds the key to your success, you know you have no chance.
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Assistant Coach Islamabad United Saeed Ajmal: “We have been practicing for the last four, five days, the team looks well prepared and gelled together. We are fully prepared for the match tomorrow, having practiced hard under the floodlights too. We have gauged the conditions well and hope to give our best on Wednesday.
“Our players look fit and are raring to go, Hasan Ali has looked in great form and rhythm and so has Faheem Ashraf. Colin Munro has also looked in good shape in the nets. I am very confident that we will give Lahore Qalandars a tough time in the match.”
“Our players look fit and are raring to go, Hasan Ali has looked in great form and rhythm and so has Faheem Ashraf. Colin Munro has also looked in good shape in the nets. I am very confident that we will give Lahore Qalandars a tough time in the match.”
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The way Shadab is bowling at the moment, it seems that he holds the key to IU's destruction in PSL 6!
The cricket enthusiast
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Rana
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What was my man thinking by randomly giving Talat the ball in the last over? That this was going to be Shadab's MS Dhoni moment as captain?? That this was going to be his secret master-stroke??
Talat Hussain
Asif Ali
Iftikhar
Khushdil are not made to handle pressure at the semi highest level let alone the highest!
Talat Hussain
Asif Ali
Iftikhar
Khushdil are not made to handle pressure at the semi highest level let alone the highest!
Mr Crickekter
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Shadab Bating at no.4 tells the depth of IU's batting........
I have been watching cricket from 1999 world cup..and in my whole life i have never seen a team with such a long tail....RIP IU
I have been watching cricket from 1999 world cup..and in my whole life i have never seen a team with such a long tail....RIP IU
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ALL-ROUNDER FAHEEM ASHRAF IS A DOUBT FOR THE COMING MATCHES
Islamabad United all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is a doubt for the coming matches of the PSL after sustaining a split webbing in his left hand during the franchise’s 5th game of the season against Lahore Qalandars last night.
Faheem had already bowled his first two overs when he suffered the injury, and he immediately left the field. The all-rounder had suffered a split between his thumb and index finger and five stitches have been applied to the deep cut.
Islamabad United Physio, Jason Pilgrim, said, “Faheem suffered a laceration to the base of the left thumb. Suturing was completed in the ER, he was given antibiotics and paracetamol, and discharged into our care.”
While he was able to bowl his quota of overs in the match, the injury means he is likely to miss gametime in Islamabad United’s forthcoming matches.
Islamabad United all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is a doubt for the coming matches of the PSL after sustaining a split webbing in his left hand during the franchise’s 5th game of the season against Lahore Qalandars last night.
Faheem had already bowled his first two overs when he suffered the injury, and he immediately left the field. The all-rounder had suffered a split between his thumb and index finger and five stitches have been applied to the deep cut.
Islamabad United Physio, Jason Pilgrim, said, “Faheem suffered a laceration to the base of the left thumb. Suturing was completed in the ER, he was given antibiotics and paracetamol, and discharged into our care.”
While he was able to bowl his quota of overs in the match, the injury means he is likely to miss gametime in Islamabad United’s forthcoming matches.
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Islamabad need to do something big today - Faheem has a hand injury as well.
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Shadab Khan Bamboozled Usman
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Shadab Khan after the win:
DHONI183
A departed friend who will live in our memories fo
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I watched the highlights of Islamabad`s victory over Lahore from yesterday and can conclude, from whatever that I can remember from about all the PSL editions, that it was perhaps the greatest win ever by a team in a PSL match. You just look at how the game was over in the beginning stages of both the innings and how Islamabad made two unbelievable comebacks in a single game. Hugely inspiring! Yes, the Lahore batsmen did play some incredibly poor shots, but you've to give the credit where it's due.
I called you out on this 4 months ago… I hope you can see how wrong you are now.. top of the table and best team by far so far.
As expected they look a clinical team without Misbah holding them back. It’s amazing to think how much more they would have won without Misbah being a passenger for so long as a player + dropping and then letting go of Babar + ruining the team as the coach.
He’s gone now and the difference is clear.
He’s gone now and the difference is clear.
daytrader
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What logic is this, one off season didn't make them a bad team. They were winning when Misbah was there and they're winning now. Misbah set strong foundations here as the core of the team and the winning formula is the same as his playing days.
That’s the point. They were winning in spite of Misbah.
He did things such as drop Babar and lose him as a player. He was completely a passenger in his last season as a player and threw his toys out of the pram after he had agreed it was finally time to hang up his boots and become part of the management, only to renege and move to PZ at the 11th hour.
With him gone IU look like a new team altogether.
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With Karachi's loss to Peshawar, Islamabad have now qualified for the knockout stages with 2 games to spare.
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He's been rested today (presumably because they've qualified already), Khawaja is the stand-in captain.
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Johan Botha after today's loss:
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Struggled in playoffs but, overall a decent tournament for them.
Definitely the only team to play two youngsters!
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/johan_botha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johan_botha</a>, Islamabad United’s Head Coach in PSL 6, will be unable to join the franchise this season due to his commitments in Australia. Under Botha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISLU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISLU</a> finished with the best league stage of any team in HBL PSL history last season. We wish him the very best of luck <a href="https://t.co/QXTUEBj8Hk">pic.twitter.com/QXTUEBj8Hk</a></p>— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsbUnited/status/1466442714984202241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
