Asif Ali hopes Shadab Khan will return in time for the next game
Asif Ali hopes Shadab Khan will return in time for the next game
Regardless of losing their last three league matches of the PSL's
7th season, Islamabad United has qualified for the playoffs as the fourth-best squad.
United has made the playoffs after winning four of their first seven PSL 2022 games, accumulating eight points in the process.
Islamabad had to contend with the Quetta Gladiators, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, who also scored eight points. While IU's penultimate encounter resulted in a six-wicket loss, QG finished their league campaign with a 23-run victory over Karachi Kings. Nevertheless, Islamabad moved ahead of Quetta on the points table thanks to a higher NRR (Net Run Rate).
Shadab Khan, United's captain and one of the favourites to win the Player of the Tournament title, has missed the team's last three games due to injury.
Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the encounter against Lahore Qalandars owing to a persistent groyne ailment. In Shadab's unavailability, vice-captain Asif Ali will head United.
With Shadab's side losing their last three games without him (or other injured players) in the Playing XI, Islamabad supporters will be hopeful for him to reappear for Eliminator 1 on February 24.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, stand-in captain Asif Ali expressed confidence in Shadab's quick recovery ahead of the playoffs, according to a reliable source. Ali told the media last night, before the playoffs, a couple of international players have joined the team. He also commented that he hoped Shadab Khan will return in time as well.
Khan has 232 runs at an average of 38.66 and a strike rate of 165.71 in six PSL 7 innings. This also includes two half-centuries. Khan has the highest wicket-taking average in the competition thus far. The 23-year-old is currently with 17 wickets at an average of 8.52, an economy rate of 6.08, and a strike rate of 8.4.
On the other hand, injuries have also ruled out young bowler Zeeshan Zameer and top-order batting Colin Munro.
United has made the playoffs after winning four of their first seven PSL 2022 games, accumulating eight points in the process.
Islamabad had to contend with the Quetta Gladiators, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, who also scored eight points. While IU's penultimate encounter resulted in a six-wicket loss, QG finished their league campaign with a 23-run victory over Karachi Kings. Nevertheless, Islamabad moved ahead of Quetta on the points table thanks to a higher NRR (Net Run Rate).
Shadab Khan, United's captain and one of the favourites to win the Player of the Tournament title, has missed the team's last three games due to injury.
Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the encounter against Lahore Qalandars owing to a persistent groyne ailment. In Shadab's unavailability, vice-captain Asif Ali will head United.
With Shadab's side losing their last three games without him (or other injured players) in the Playing XI, Islamabad supporters will be hopeful for him to reappear for Eliminator 1 on February 24.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, stand-in captain Asif Ali expressed confidence in Shadab's quick recovery ahead of the playoffs, according to a reliable source. Ali told the media last night, before the playoffs, a couple of international players have joined the team. He also commented that he hoped Shadab Khan will return in time as well.
Khan has 232 runs at an average of 38.66 and a strike rate of 165.71 in six PSL 7 innings. This also includes two half-centuries. Khan has the highest wicket-taking average in the competition thus far. The 23-year-old is currently with 17 wickets at an average of 8.52, an economy rate of 6.08, and a strike rate of 8.4.
On the other hand, injuries have also ruled out young bowler Zeeshan Zameer and top-order batting Colin Munro.