Islamabad United

Ownership

The franchise is owned by Leonine Global Investments, which is focused on investments and business interest globally, through its sports entity Leonine Global Sports. The sports company also owns Hong Kong Island United, a franchise team in the Hong Kong T20 league. Leonine Global is owned by Ali Naqvi and Amna Naqvi.

Franchise history

In 2015, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the inaugural season of the Pakistan Super League would take place in February 2016 in the United Arab Emirates. On 3 December 2015, the PCB unveiled the owners of five city-based franchises. The Islamabad franchise was sold to Leonine Global Sports for US$15 Million.

2016 season

After a poor start to the 2016 Pakistan Super League tournament Islamabad United finished third in the round robin group stage, qualifying for the knock out stage of the tournament. The team won four matches out of eight, finishing with eight points from their group games.

They faced fourth placed Karachi Kings in the eliminator, winning by nine wickets thanks to Mohammad Sami's man of the match performance of five wickets for eight runs from four overs. Brad Haddin and Dwayne Smith each scored fifties as United achieved their target of 111 in the 15th over.

In the second qualifier match Islamabad met Peshawar Zalmi. Sharjeel Khan scored 117 from 62 balls, the first century scored in the Pakistan Super League. It proved to be the difference between the teams as United posted 176 for 3 and Zalmi were bowled out for 126 with two full overs to go. United, spinner Imran Khalid took four wickets for 20 runs and Andre Russell three for 37. The win took United through to the final against Quetta Gladiators.

The 2016 Pakistan Super League Final was won by Islamabed by six wickets. United opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the Gladiators scored 174-7 in their 20 overs. Andre Russell, who finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, took three for 37. In reply United started well with Dwayne Smith scoring 73 runs and Brad Haddin an unbeaten 61, allowing United to score 174 for four with eight balls remaining and win the title.

2017 season

In the 2017 Pakistan Super League players draft United retained 17 players from their previous squad. The team picked Ben Duckett, Zohaib Khan and Shadab Khan to complete their 20 men squad.Later Steven Finn replaced Andre Russell after he was banned for a year for doping breach. Ben Duckett was replaced by Nicolas Pooran after Duckett left the squad ahead of play-offs due to national duties.

Islamabad United played the inaugural game of the 2017 season against Peshawar Zalmi, which they managed to win by 7 wickets and thus continuing their winning streak from last season. In the following game, however, they lost to Lahore Qalandars by 6 wickets after posting 158 on the board. Misbah top-scored for United through his unbeaten innings of 61 off 36 balls that included 5 sixes.

As the tournament shifted to Sharjah, United continued to rebuild their campaign by handing Quetta Gladiators their first loss of the season. Chasing 149, they managed to do so at a loss of 5 wickets with 5-balls to spare. Sam Billings was the top-scorer with his aggressive knock of 78 from 50 balls. But in the following game against table-bottoms, Karachi Kings, United lost by 8-runs through the Duckworth-Lewis method. This came about after they posted 90 runs in their alloted 13 overs in a rain-marred game that was abandoned after 9.4 overs in the second innings. However, continuing on, United won a thrilling last-ball win against Peshawar Zalmi. Dwayne Smith was instrumental in his team's chase of 137 runs as he scored 72 off 59 balls after United's bowlers had earlier restricted the opposition to a below-par score. Following this victory, however, the team lost to Lahore Qalandars by 1 wicket in a tense game. Batting first, United had difficulties in building their innings and were at one time 83-6. But the team's emerging player, Shadab Khan, scored 42 off 24 balls to get United to a respectable total of 145 which almost proved match-winning.

With the tournament moving back to Dubai, United registered a thrilling win against Quetta Gladiators. After putting up a total of 166, the team was staring at almost certain defeat after the Gladiators were 148 for the loss of just one wicket at the 16th over. However, after a flurry of wickets and the inability of the opposition batsmen to finish the game, United prevailed by 1 run. This win also ensured the team of a play-off spot.

Team identity

The team logo and name was revealed on 22 December 2015 in a ceremony held at the Polo Club in Islamabad. The logo features a lion. The team's primary colours are red, orange and a light shade of brown.

Fawad Khan and Ali Zafar are the Brand Ambassadors of the team. The franchise is also focused on Empowerment and Momina Mustehsan has joined the team as its Empowerment Champion.

Anthems of the team; "Cricket Jorray Pakistan" has been sung by Momina Mustehsan, and "Kitna Rola Daalay Ga" has been sung by Abdullah Qureshi.

Dostea was the main sponsor and shirt sponsor of the team in 2016 while Cinepax and GLO Merchandise were merchandise sponsors. WWF Pakistan are the team's official partners. Mocca are team's current official food partners with Dunya News and FM 101 the news and entertainment partners of the team respectively while PTV Sports is team's brand and media partner.For second season United signed with JS Bank as the title sponsor and Q Mobile as team's main partner respectively. Other partners are PTCL, Yayvo and Igloo.

Current squad

Players with international caps are listed in bold.

Captains

Source: ESPNcricinfo , Last updated: 1 March 2017

Head-to-head record

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last updated: 1 March 2017