Islamabad United PSL 2025 Squad Analysis: Can Shadab Khan And Co Defend Their Title?

Islamabad United won PSL 2024 [Source: @OneCricketApp/X]

The tenth season of the Pakistan Super League is knocking at our doors. Six formidable teams- Peshawar Zalmi, Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans- are set to lock horns in 34 matches across four different venues for supremacy. 

Regarding Islamabad United, the Shadab Khan-led side reached new heights last season, emerging as the Champions in the competition. As they get ready for the tenth edition of PSL, let's see how formidable they are heading to the tournament. 

Islamabad United PSL 2025 Squad

Shadab Khan (C), Matthew Short, Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Irshad, Colin Munro, Andries Gous, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Nawaz, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood, Riley Meredith, Rassie van der Dussen, Muhammad Shahzad, Sahibzada Farhan

Islamabad United Strengths

Power-Packed batting lineup with incredible depth

(PSL 2025 stats of ISLU's key batters)

• Islamabad United arguably have the best batting lineup in PSL 2025. While Colin Munro, Sahibzada Farhan and Matthew Short form an explosive top order, the middle order gets bolstered by Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan and skipper Shadab Khan. 
• Meanwhile, the likes of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz are capable of playing impactful cameos. Considering Naseem Shah, Ben Dwarshuis and Jason Holder can also hit a long ball, we reckon the United are blessed with the most fearsome batting unit in the competition. 

Plethora of multi-dimensional players

• Apart from a dynamic batting unit, Islamabad United have a number of all-rounders who ensure versatility and flexibility in their team. 
• The presence of Imad, Agha Salman, Shadab, Matthew Short, Holder and Mohammad Nawaz makes them an extraordinary T20 outfit when it comes to valuable multi-dimensional assets. 
• All these players can bat and bowl, making things easier than Shadab Khan as Islamabad United's captain. 

Quality Pace battery

• While Ben Dwarshuis brings left-arm swing to the table, Naseem Shah's seam-bowling and Riley Meredith's scorching pace ensures versatility in Islamabad United's pace attack. 
• Salman Irshad, Jason Holder, Rumman Raees and Hunain Shah empower their bench with some quality reserve pacers, who can be game-changers with the ball on any given day. 

Islamabad United Weaknesses

Lack of a wicket-taking spinner

• Although Islamabad United have several spin-bowling weapons, none of them poses serious threat as a wicket-taker in the middle overs. 
• Imad Wasim's defensive bowling skills is still intact; however, the veteran spinner struck at a modest rate of 19 in the PSL last season. 
• Mohammad Nawaz and Agha Salman also don't give confidence as wicket-takers, having bagged only four scalps combined last season. Thus, the United will pretty much rely on their fast bowlers for striking at regular junctures. 

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Opportunity For Islamabad United

To Become 1st team to win PSL four times

• Islamabad United enjoyed stellar success in the PSL last season, emerging triumphant by defeating Multan Sultans in the final. 
• They have clinched the coveted title thrice and if they manage another one, the Red Brigade will be the first outfit to win the PSL four times in the tournament's history. 

Threats For Islamabad United

Recent form of Shadab Khan

(Shadab Khan in T20 format in 2025)

• Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan has been miserable in the shortest format this year, as evidenced by the above stats. 
• His form in T20s has been worrisome; so, Islamabad United could suffer as a unit if he doesn't regain his mojo in time. 

Colin Munro and Imad Wasim's age and form

(Modest Stats Of Imad and Munro in T20 cricket since 2024)

• Colin Munro and Imad Wasim are two crucial players, who are expected to start for Islamabad United. 
• However, both these players are at the fag end of their respective careers, and their age has adversely affected their performance of late. 
• So, it will be interesting to see if Imad and Munro bring up their A-game and emerge as Islamabad's match-winners in the PSL 2025. 

Islamabad United's Probable Starting XI For PSL 2025

Colin Munro, Sahibzada Farhan, Matthew Short, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (C), Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Riley Meredith

Islamabad United Team Rating

Islamabad United's Expected finish

Islamabad United have a formidable team on paper, studded with a number of power-hitters and utility cricketers. Considering the team they have assembled, it will be a huge surprise if they don't enter the final of the PSL 2025. 

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