United get boost with arrival of foreign players

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad United are excited to have backing of powerful foreign players in their bid to regain the Pakistan Super League (PSL) title.

Five foreign players have already reached the United Arab Emirates for the remaining matches of the PSL VI. With Islamabad United scheduled to play their first match against Lahore Qalandars on June 9, Usman Khawaja, Fawad Ahmed, Colin Munro, Ali Khan and Barandon King have completed their required quarantine period and are ready to go all out. “Barring late entry Umar Amin who is waiting for his visa in Lahore, we are in full capacity and are looking forward to our first match. We are lucky to be first on the field for the practice session. Our foreign members of the team are ready to contribute to the United’s cause,” a United official said.

Islamabad United owner Ali Naqvi said: “Pakistan Super League is Pakistan’s marquee event. I am delighted that after days of hard work and overcoming all surprises, we are now ready to resume the tournament on 9 June. Nothing comes easy in life, and I think this event has tested the patience, crisis management and event planning skills of the PCB as well as all the team owners to the limits.

“The silver lining in the start is that all the players will get a week of training and practice, which will help them put up their best performance and justify the decision of the PCB and the team owners to hold the tournament in Abu Dhabi.”