Islamabad: Islamabad United has won all of their first 5 matches in PSL 2025, and with 10 points on the board, one wonders why the PSL management hasn’t already placed a ‘Q’ for qualification next to their name on the points table.
With nine PSL seasons behind us, Islamabad United has emerged victorious in 3, more than any other team. Lahore Qalandars has claimed the title twice, including the only back-to-back championships in PSL history, while each of the remaining franchises has managed just one.
Modern batting with depth
Islamabad United grasped the T20 formula early: prioritise foreign batters and local bowlers. Over the years, international power-hitters like Shane Watson, Alex Hales, Luke Ronchi, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have been regulars in United’s setup.
Middle-order consistency, on the other hand, has seen fewer marquee names—JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, and Sam Billings being the notable one-season contributors.
United’s philosophy is clear: stack the top order with three foreign T20 specialists. If a local opener fits in, one foreigner can be moved to number four. The presence of Pakistani talents like Shadab, Agha, Azam, Asif, Haider, Faheem, Imad, and Mubasir—who can all bat down to number eight—further deepens the batting line-up. Bowlers such as Waseem Jr, Naseem Shah, and Ruman Raees have even allowed United to have reliable batters till number 11 on occasions.
This unmatched depth empowers United to play aggressively, whether they bat first or chase. Interestingly, not a single United player features among the top five PSL run-scorers—Babar, Fakhar, Rizwan, Malik, and Rossouw top that chart. Munro, at number eight, is the only United batter on the list.
However, when it comes to strike rates, the story flips. Ronchi, Pollard, Usman Khan, Munro, and Asif Ali dominate the high-strike-rate bracket, with three of them representing United. Azam ranks ninth, Faheem thirteenth, and Hales fourteenth—six out of the top 14 most explosive batters in PSL history have donned the red jersey.
More than 5 bowlers
In 2020, United promoted Shadab Khan to bat at number four. By season’s end, he was among the top 10 run scorers, trailing only Hales and Ronchi from his side. His evolution as a genuine all-rounder and his five-year leadership stint have been crucial to United’s success.
This strategic move enabled United to regularly field an additional batter or bowler. Lower-order hitters, relieved of pressure, could swing freely—often turning matches. The franchise has consistently included a spin all-rounder (Mubasir earlier, Imad now) and a pace all-rounder (Faheem before, now Jason Holder), in addition to three front-line pacers. Ideally, two of them specialise in the new ball and death overs, while the third can control the middle phase.
This dynamic, data-driven combination represents the gold standard of T20 composition—a format United seems to have cracked ahead of the curve.
Modern approach and qualified team management
Fifteen years ago, cricket leadership belonged to ex-players with extensive on-field experience. But the rise of T20 has opened the door to professionals from non-cricketing backgrounds. Modern franchises recognize that analytical thinking, management, and strategic planning can be just as valuable as cricketing pedigree.
Today, non-cricketers contribute in areas like decision science, communication, performance analytics, logistics, and organisational culture. Like CEOs who don’t build products themselves, off-field leaders in sports now optimise performance behind the scenes.
Islamabad United was among the first PSL franchises to embrace this shift. Rehan Ul Haq (General Manager IU) and Hassan Cheema (United’s former strategy head, now with PCB) never played professional cricket, yet revolutionised franchise cricket with their off-field acumen.
Rehan manages long-term planning, maintains a consistent cultural identity, and oversees the team’s strategic framework. Cheema, renowned for his data-first insights and tactical foresight, helped shape match strategies and recruitment.
Other successful PSL minds include Haider Azhar (Previously Multan Sultans, presently Karachi Kings) and Nabeel Hashmi (Quetta Gladiators). These professionals have influenced team building and operational excellence without traditional cricketing resumes. Their effectiveness lies in understanding team dynamics, quick adaptation, and system-oriented thinking—skills often honed outside the boundary ropes.
The broader sporting world mirrors this trend. Football’s José Mourinho and Arrigo Sacchi, the NBA’s Erik Spoelstra, and baseball executives like Theo Epstein and Billy Beane achieved greatness without star-studded playing careers. They succeeded through innovative thinking, statistical insight, and visionary leadership.
Islamabad United pioneered this progressive outlook in cricket, bringing Rehan and Cheema onboard early. Their success since has not been a coincidence. Much credit is due to the franchise owners, who embraced this modern, liberal, and innovative direction—allowing United to stay ahead of the curve and redefine what it means to build a winning T20 team.
