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Islamabad United (IU) is the most successful team in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, with three titles to their name. As defending champions, they will aim to continue their dominance in PSL 2025. After winning in 2016 and 2018, they secured their third title in 2024 with a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Multan Sultans (MS) in the final.
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Shadab Khan, who captained the team last season, will once again lead IU as they look to defend their crown. Shadab’s journey as captain has been interesting. He first took charge in 2019 when regular skipper Mohammad Sami was injured. In the following season, he became the full-time captain, and in 2024, he finally led IU to another title.
As captain, he has won 31 out of 55 matches. Their PSL 2025 campaign will begin on 11 April against Lahore Qalandars (LQ) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Beyond his leadership, Shadab is a key player for IU with his all-round abilities.
He is the second-highest run-scorer for the franchise, amassing 1,240 runs in 70 innings at an average of 20.32 and a strike rate of 139.32, including eight fifties. With the ball, he tops the charts with 91 wickets in 83 innings at an economy of 7.68. He has one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls.
Shadab Khan was the Player of the Tournament in the PSL 2024
In last season’s final against Multan, Shadab played a crucial role in IU’s last-ball victory, taking 3 for 32, including the wicket of Multan skipper Mohammad Rizwan. Throughout the season, he was among the top performers, finishing as the joint fifth-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets and the ninth-highest run-scorer with 305 runs at a strike rate of 142.52.
He also took eight catches and contributed with two run-outs. His all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Tournament award. As IU prepares for another season, expectations will be high for both the team and their captain.
Whether Shadab can lead them to back-to-back titles remains to be seen. Individually, it could also be a huge season for Shadab as he would like to make a comeback into the Pakistan senior team.
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