Shadab Khan picked as Islamabad United captain in PSL 5

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been announced as the captain of Islamabad United for fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The leg-spinner is also the youngest captain in the history of the PSL to captain any franchise since league started in 2016.Shadab came to Islamabad United after being picked up in the draft for PSL2. He has taken 29 wickets in 32 matches while going at 6.89 an over.

Shadab was part of the Islamabad United side that won PSL3, including taking 3-for-25 in the final of that tournament. He captained Islamabad United for three matches in PSL 4, replacing injured Mohammad Sami, and went on to win two of those encounters.

Shadab made his debut for the national team across all three formats after his PSL debut. He is the highest wicket taker in the world in T20 Internationals. Currently, Shadab is the third highest ranked Pakistani bowler in the ICC ODI Rankings, and second highest ranked bowler in the ICC T20I Rankings. He has also starred with the bat having scored six fifties in 31 innings he has had in Tests and ODIs.

The 21-year-old shared his joy at the responsibility and said: “It’s an honour for me that Ali bhai (franchise owner) and the franchise have considered me for this role. I hope to learn as much as I can from this opportunity and hope that I will live up to the expectations they have of me. Islamabad United has made me what I am today, and I hope to repay the faith they have invested me in for so many years. I know what it takes to win the PSL, and working with Misbah bhai I am sure that we can challenge for the trophy again.”

The PSL fifth edition will completely be held in Pakistan and the matches will be played in the stadiums of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan starting on February 20.