Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have joined the Islamabad United squad for the ongoing eight edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Farooqi and Gurbaz linked up with the squad in Karachi on Tuesday (today) after the conclusion of the T20I series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The duo will be available for their side’s next match in PSL 8, which is against Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday, February 23.
Meanwhile, England cricketer Alex Hales, who is known for his explosive batting, will reach Pakistan on February 26.
Islamabad are currently at the fourth position on the points table with two points after two games.
Islamabad registered a four-wicket victory over Karachi Kings in their opening match of the tournament.
Meanwhile, in their second match, Islamabad were outclassed by Multan Sultans as the latter won the encounter by 52 runs.
It must be noted that the closing ceremony and final of PSL 8 will be played on March 19 in Lahore, which will also host play-offs.
The winner will not only lift the Supernova Trophy but will also collect a cheque of Rs120m, while the runners-up will receive a cheque of Rs48m.
Lahore Qalandars will attempt to become the first side to win back-to-back titles; meanwhile Islamabad United will aim to become the most successful side by lifting the trophy thrice.
Rawalpindi will stage 11 fixtures, Karachi and Lahore will host nine matches each, whereas Multan will have five home games.
Islamabad United Squad
Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abrar Ahmed, Sohaib Maqsood, Rumman Raees, Zeeshan Zamir, Hassan Nawaz, Moeen Ali (available from March 14), Mubasir Khan, Tom Curran, Zafar Gohar, Gus Atkinson (partial replacement for Rahmanullah Gurbaz), Tymal Mills (partial replacement for Alex Hales), Rassie van der Dussen (partial replacement for Moeen Ali)
Islamabad’s remaining fixtures
23 Feb - Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena
24 Feb - Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, National Bank Cricket Arena
27 Feb - Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium
3 Mar - Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium
5 Mar - Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium
7 Mar - Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Pindi Cricket Stadium
9 Mar - Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium
12 Mar - Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.