PSL 2025 - Can Islamabad United Win PSL for the 2nd Consecutive Time?

Updated At: 2025/02/25

Islamabad United is one of the strongest teams in the history of the Pakistan Super League. They have won the league thrice and Islamabad United stands tall with the highest number of titles in their title collection.

During the previous edition of PSL, Islamabad United again came out on top and won their third title. However, during the whole tournament, it was a bumpy ride for the United but the end was positive and prosperous.

In PSL 2024, Islamabad United finished 3rd in the point table with 5 wins and 4 losses. Their net run rate stood at +0.224. With some unfortunate losses, Islamabad United managed to qualify for the playoffs.

During the playoffs, Islamabad United defeated Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi to cement their space in the final fixture. In the final game, they met their arch-rivals Multan Sultans and scored a thrilling last-ball win over the opposition to lift their third PSL trophy.

The PSL 2025 draft has taken place and Islamabad United has made some changes in their squad. These changes are done in order to rectify the mistakes of the previous edition and the franchise can expect a better result.

Islamabad United - Overall result in PSL

Year	Matches	Won	Lost	Tie&W	Tie&L	NR	SR (%)	Position	Summary
2016	11	7	4	0	0	0	63.63	1/5	Champions
2017	9	4	5	0	0	0	44.44	4/5	Play-offs (4th)
2018	12	8	3	1	0	0	75	1/6	Champions
2019	12	6	6	0	0	0	50	3/6	Play-offs (3rd)
2020	9	3	6	0	0	0	27.27	6/6	League Stage
2021	12	8	4	0	0	0	66.66	3/6	Play-offs (3rd)
2022	12	5	7	0	0	0	41.66	4/6	Play-offs (3rd)
2023	11	6	5	0	0	0	54.55	3/6	Play-offs (4th)
2024	12	8	4	0	0	0	66.66	3/6	Champions

After their performance in the previous edition, the biggest question is can Islamabad United do a much better job and dominate the league again? Can Islamabad United reach the playoffs and win the title for the 2nd consecutive time?

In this article, we bring you a detailed analysis of the complete squad of Islamabad United and their possibility of winning the title in the 10th edition of the league.

PSL 2025 - Islamabad United - Squad

Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Matthew Short, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Benjamin Dwarshuis, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Andries Gous, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Irshad, Rassie van der Dussen, Riley Meredith, Sam Billings, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood

PSL - Islamabad United - SWOT Analysis

Strength

Islamabad United team management has managed to retain their key performers from the previous edition. These key performers make the whole team a balanced unit.

Their batting unit is comprised of Colin Munro at the top order. Munro was the team's leading scorer in the previous edition. He has the capability to give the team a solid start against the pace attack of any team.

Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan will be part of the middle order. Salman Ali Agha had a brilliant season the T20 international cricket. As an all-rounder and can again come out as a valuable player for the team. Shadab Khan was out of international action and hence he has a motive to perform well to make his comeback in international cricket.

PSL 2024 - Stats	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Colin Munro	10	326	32.6	138.72
Salman Ali Agha	12	310	31	140.27
Shadab Khan	12	305	30.5	142.52

When it comes to their bowling attack, Naseem Shah will be leading the way. The youngster was the leading wicket-taker for the team in the previous edition of the league. Riley Meredith is also part of the team and his presence will be a huge boost in the pace unit.

In the spin attack, Shadab Khan is expected to play a crucial with his spin partner Imad Wasim. They both are talented enough to understand the situation and bowl their best spell accordingly.

PSL 2024 - Stats	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Naseem Shah	11	15	22.2	7.56
Shadab Khan	12	14	26.85	8.54
Imad Wasim	12	12	20.91	6.6

Weakness

Even though the team management has signed some big names for the team from the draft, they have not solved the void in the top order. It was Martin Guptill who opened with Colin Munro at the top but Guptil was a complete failure for the team. Martin Guptill has been released from the team and he has been replaced by Rassie van der Dussen from South Africa.

The Proteas batter is new to the Pakistan Super League and if he fails at the top again, the whole team will be in huge trouble.

Opportunity

The signing of Andries Gous has come out as a big opportunity for the team. The American cricketer can be a valuable addition to the team in the middle order. He has immense experience in playing T20 international cricket and the T20 cricket league. Andries Gous is expected to come at number 4 and even if the top-order fails to do their job well, he can handle the pressure to score runs.

T20i Stats	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Andries Gous	25	751	32.65	145.26

T20s Stats	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Andries Gous	89	2204	30.19	136.55

Threat

The biggest threat to Islamabad United is in their bowling unit. Naseem Shah is their key pacer and he has been through multiple injuries in the last year. He is currently part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. However, if Naseem fails in the league or if incurs an injury, the bowling combination of Islamabad United will go for a toss.

PSL 2025 - Islamabad United - Schedule

Date	Match	Venue
April 17, 2025	Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United	Rawalpindi Stadium
April 20, 2025	Multan Sultans v Islamabad United	Multan Cricket Stadium
April 22, 2025	Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United	Gaddafi Stadium
April 26, 2025	Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United	Gaddafi Stadium
April 28, 2025	Karachi Kings v Islamabad United	National Bank Stadium
May 2, 2025	Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators	Pindi Cricket Stadium
May 4, 2025	Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi	Pindi Cricket Stadium
May 6, 2025	Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars	Pindi Cricket Stadium
May 7, 2025	Islamabad United v Karachi Kings	Pindi Cricket Stadium
May 10, 2025	Islamabad United v Multan Sultans	Pindi Cricket Stadium