Mohammad Sami announced as captain of Islamabad United and Shadab Khan to be vice-captain for PSL 4

[MenInG]

Islamabad United Media Release

Lahore, 04 February 2019 – Islamabad United, the winners of the inaugural HBL PSL and the defending PSL champions, is proud to announce that Mohammad Sami will captain the side for HBL PSL 4.

Mohammad Sami was picked up by Islamabad United in the Gold Category Draft for PSL1. Since then he has taken 37 wickets in 27 PSL matches at an economy rate of just 6.55. Sami is the second highest wicket taker in PSL history – the highest for Islamabad United – and his economy rate is second only to Rumman Raees among pacers in PSL history.

Sami, who played 136 international matches for Pakistan, has been an ever present for the franchise, and is the senior-most member of the squad for HBL PSL4.

Regarding the appointment, Ali Naqvi, the owner of the franchise said, “Sami has always served the franchise with utmost respect and honour. He has always conducted himself in way that defines us and has been one of the stars for the team over the past three years, winning multiple matches on his own. Furthermore, he has years of captaincy experience – he has captained various Karachi teams, on and off, for almost a decade now, and has been successful in that role. He was our first choice for the role, and we are pleased that he will be leading the franchise for this edition of the PSL.”

Mohammad Sami welcomed this appointment, saying, “It’s an honour for me that Islamabad United and Ali Naqvi have selected me to lead the franchise. I have always aimed to give my all to the team, to repay the faith that they have vested in him, and I hope that I will be able to rise to this challenge too. I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity and I hope that I will continue Islamabad United’s tradition of success.”

Islamabad United is one of the six franchise teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is the winner of the first and third seasons of the PSL. The franchise believes in bringing change to Pakistani sports with the introduction of international standards of practice and a commitment to continuous progress.

[Rana]

I thought Faheem Ashraf was likely to be their captain.

Why are current Pakistani youngsters not being made captains??

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Shadab was the right choice.

[Fahdi]

Muhammad Sami?

[Deewana Mastana]

Mohammad Sami seriously???

Islamabad, you have disappointed me.

[Deewana Mastana]

Ali Naqvi has disappointed a lot of people by that choice I am very sure about that.

[Savak]

Glad to see Sami get a high profile role towards the end of his career

[Mr Crickekter]

This shows that Sarfaraz will lead Pakistan team for next 10 - 15 years

[Madplayer]

I guess the criteria which got him captaincy was age?

[Pete Rose]

He will celebrate this honor by bowling a 24-ball over

[Angrez Pakistani]

Think they were looking for a player who was available throughout the tournament and was not subjected to overseas quota. Gives them a bit more flexibility in terms of overseas players selection. Other local players were either too young to be captains or too inconsistent to merit their places in the 11.

[Rana]

Think they were looking for a player who was available throughout the tournament and was not subjected to overseas quota. Gives them a bit more flexibility in terms of overseas players selection. Other local players were either too young to be captains or too inconsistent to merit their places in the 11.

Faheem Ashraf? Talat Hussain? Rumman Raees?

[RedwoodOriginal]

Rumman Raees would have been a better option imo. But there isn't much clarity regarding his injury, he might be still injured.

[Angrez Pakistani]

Faheem Ashraf? Talat Hussain? Rumman Raees?

Faheem is inconsistent (why he was dropped from the 2nd T20), Talat we all known what he did Yesterday, Rumman is Injured (rehabilitating).

[Major]

I get that why IU decided to remove Misbah. But then when you replace him as captain with a 37 year then it makes no sense.

The reason why Sami was made captain is obvious. They had no other options. BUt then again they bought themselves to this situation

[Rana]

Faheem is inconsistent (why he was dropped from the 2nd T20), Talat we all known what he did Yesterday, Rumman is Injured (rehabilitating).

Talat Emerged into the Pakistan side by performing well in the PSL. He’s a good batsman and will continue to improve.

Faheem would be a different player when the responsibility is on him to deliver for his team. He’s a good bowler and his batting will improve if he has to bat seriously for the team

[RedwoodOriginal]

I guess the criteria which got him captaincy was age?

Sami has captained before and won domestic T20 titles for Karachi as captain so it's unfair to say he doesn't fulfill criteria.

[Khan12]

I get that why IU decided to remove Misbah. But then when you replace him as captain with a 37 year then it makes no sense.

The reason why Sami was made captain is obvious. They had no other options. BUt then again they bought themselves to this situation

They should have retained Misbah who could have played in place of talat after all Misbah can play till 60s anyway. His love for cricket oh wait.....

[Rana]

I get that why IU decided to remove Misbah. But then when you replace him as captain with a 37 year then it makes no sense.

The reason why Sami was made captain is obvious. They had no other options. BUt then again they bought themselves to this situation

The options are there, Faheem has played enough cricket for Pakistan to be considered as their captain with one of the senior overseas pros guiding him. The same goes with Talat Hussain.

It seems that Pakistani management in general is allergic to backing young talent to learn how to take senior responsibility

[j_kazmi]

If they were gonna make some one like Sami captain then they shouldn’t have let Misbah go

[topspin]

I get that why IU decided to remove Misbah. But then when you replace him as captain with a 37 year then it makes no sense.

The reason why Sami was made captain is obvious. They had no other options. BUt then again they bought themselves to this situation

Misbah was a liability with the batting and hogging a place in the side for a more deserving batsman. His captaincy wasn't needed as he only managed to played a few games and when he did, his role in the side was peripheral one, so only in your mind "they bought themselves to this situation".

[Major]

The options are there, Faheem has played enough cricket for Pakistan to be considered as their captain with one of the senior overseas pros guiding him. The same goes with Talat Hussain.

It seems that Pakistani management in general is allergic to backing young talent to learn how to take senior responsibility

its not about playing cricket.

Its about having leadership skills.

Talat is very soft spoken and shy.

I dont know about the leadership skills of Talat, Faheem or Shadab. If they have got the skills and could captain players senior then them, then it would had been well and good.


But to be honest, it doesn't matte who they make captain.

This team was built by misbah ul haq. Faheem, Shadab, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, and many more were mostly Misbah's picks.

So if they make anyone the captain, they have to build the team around that person.

Now Sami and other players donot have the same voice as Misbah did. Misbah was made captain immediately and he got his picks.

Sami had to be made captain after the drafts and he obviously didn't get his picks.

[Major]

Misbah was a liability with the batting and hogging a place in the side for a more deserving batsman. His captaincy wasn't needed as he only managed to played a few games and when he did, his role in the side was peripheral one, so only in your mind "they bought themselves to this situation".

which is why Peshawar made a special request to him to come in the Draft for their pick.

[Major]

They should have retained Misbah who could have played in place of talat after all Misbah can play till 60s anyway. His love for cricket oh wait.....

doesn't matter.

this is a domestic tourney.

[Major]

If Zalmi ends up keeping Misbah as their mentor, i would say that they made the move of the century by getting him into their team.

Having Misbah as part of the team management is a great addition. And to steal him from another franchise you have to offer what others are not offering.

Majority of the IU guys are hand picked players of Misbah. Asif Ali was a gem.

[topspin]

which is why Peshawar made a special request to him to come in the Draft for their pick.

An obvious blunder from Javed Afridi who was probably unaware of his stats last year: average of 19 @ SR 75 with a top score of 22.

Even the staunchest of Misbah supporters can acknowledge he is not good enough to make any PSL side on merit.

[Khan12]

doesn't matter.

this is a domestic tourney.

Yes I know he got more of a chance representing Pakistan then the likes of Saif Badar, Zeeshan Malik etc. After all Misbah is still young and can play for us soon again he needs to use this PSL to push for selection for PCT.

[Khan12]

If Zalmi ends up keeping Misbah as their mentor, i would say that they made the move of the century by getting him into their team.

Having Misbah as part of the team management is a great addition. And to steal him from another franchise you have to offer what others are not offering.

Majority of the IU guys are hand picked players of Misbah. Asif Ali was a gem.

That gem has lost us the series. Who's the other gem salman, asad ali, khurram shehzad, imran khalid, hafeez, zulfi etc.

[Khan12]

An obvious blunder from Javed Afridi who was probably unaware of his stats last year: average of 19 @ SR 75 with a top score of 22.

Even the staunchest of Misbah supporters can acknowledge he is not good enough to make any PSL side on merit.

It was just one off should replce babar after this PSL.

[MMHS]

That gem has lost us the series. Who's the other gem salman, asad ali, khurram shehzad, imran khalid, hafeez, zulfi etc.

You missed the brightest of the lot - Rafatullah Mohammand

[shady]

Good planning by IU, let Sami captain for a year or two before he retires and then hand the reigns to Shadab who looks like a future captain for Pakistan. Stuff like this is why they’ve been so successful in the psl so far.

[Khan12]

You missed the brightest of the lot - Rafatullah Mohammand

Oh yes how can i forget him. Don't forget he benched Babar, Umar amin, Kamran Ghulam pretty much the whole season in PSL 1. But Babar and umar amin were injured. Zafar has hardly got a chance when grandad was the captain. Even last PSL when he wasn't playing talat was batting higher up.

[last_knight]

Dropping your non-performing VC is not a big deal, but dropping your Captain is.

Shadab will probably be dropped from Playing XI in second half of the league. Sami is not safe either.

[Angrez Pakistani]

Talat Emerged into the Pakistan side by performing well in the PSL. He’s a good batsman and will continue to improve.

Faheem would be a different player when the responsibility is on him to deliver for his team. He’s a good bowler and his batting will improve if he has to bat seriously for the team

I’d like to see Talat’s scores throughout last year’s PSL. On Faheem, I think he is just overrated. He has not done anything of substance to be classed as an all rounder. He struck a purple patch in last year’s PSL, in terms of bowling, that too on the back of poor batting standards in PSL.

[MenInG]

Rumman Raees at the announcement, looking like someone who didn't want to be there....

[arehaan]

Islamabad will be a train wreck this season. There players are badly out of form and this appointment is cherry on top. One of the worst cricketing decision ever made. Don't understand the mindset what you will be gaining with these appointments and how it serves Pakistan cricket which should be the ultimate goal

[Syed1]

IU and their love for oldie captains. Here they had opportunity of a lifetime to make Rumman or Shadab captain, but no they went with 37 year old Sami.

I guess it is an improvement from 44 year old Misbah.

[Syed1]

This pic reminds me, why isn't Rumman Raes in the T20 side anymore? Surely he can do better than Wahab 2.0, Shinwari of "4-0-63-0" fame.



Honestly pick any random bloke from the street and he may do better than Shinwari.

[Abdullah719]

This pic reminds me, why isn't Rumman Raes in the T20 side anymore? Surely he can do better than Wahab 2.0, Shinwari of "4-0-63-0" fame.



Honestly pick any random bloke from the street and he may do better than Shinwari.

He hasn't regained full fitness after the injury during PSL 3. Hasn't played a game since then.

[coy0607]

this whining needs to stop

each PSL franchise is a for-profit entity and they will do what they think gives them the best chance of winning the tournament. Sami has captained domestic in the past, and has done quite well as captain, he is a perfectly reasonable choice

the anger should be directed at the PCB - have they every made Shadab a captain for a domestic tournament like the national T20 cup?

If the PCB aren't willing to give someone new a chance in a domestic tournament, why should a PSL franchise experiment

[fluke]

I was supporting IU but after this decision I will go back to my LQ team and I hope they will win this time

[Markhor]

Third rate competition exposing itself again. Mohammad Sami could barely think for himself when was playing for the national team, let alone think for others.

However I do appreciate him still being able to crank up the pace at his age.

[Hasan123]

This is depressing appointment as an IU fan. Why did we not go for a younger player?

We have given so many youngsters a chance but when we finally move on from Misbah we make player who will never play for Pakistan again the captain .

PSL will extend these oldies careers. The franchises seem to love selecting them, if they are getting pay checks for nothing of course they will keep entering the draft. Abdul Razzaq came out of retirement

[Saj]

Rumman Raees was going to be the skipper from what I hear, but the guy still isn't fit despite being out for over a year.

Seems like another shambles between the player and the PCB medics.

[letme alone]

good decision

[SensiblePakFan]

Great decision. Captaincy isnt a joke like some people make it seem.

[Arsalan Pro]

Rumman Raees was going to be the skipper from what I hear, but the guy still isn't fit despite being out for over a year.

Seems like another shambles between the player and the PCB medics.

I met him last Monday and asked him when will he play again to which he answered that he will take part in the upcoming PSL Inshaallah and will be the Captain hopefully, I guess he wasn't aware of management's plan.

[The Viper]

You would expect a younger choice considering that Islamabad have been one of the only franchise to give youth a chance. Sami is a boring pick.

[Sunny_majoka]

i was expecting some sense from islu management was the best chance to promote young man as a captain rather than a 38 year old who is on his last legs

[ask_analyse_act]

This is depressing appointment as an IU fan. Why did we not go for a younger player?

We have given so many youngsters a chance but when we finally move on from Misbah we make player who will never play for Pakistan again the captain .

PSL will extend these oldies careers. The franchises seem to love selecting them, if they are getting pay checks for nothing of course they will keep entering the draft. Abdul Razzaq came out of retirement

Did Razzaq got selected for any team?

[aukhan]

Dimaag se

Stupid decision. Captaincy should have been handed over to young shadab.

[hadi123]

Stupid decision. Sami is approaching end of his playing days, Shadab would have been a good choice, as he could be a future captaincy candidate for Pakistan.

[Hasan123]

Did Razzaq got selected for any team?

No. But he shouldn't even be entering the draft. He knows that on reputation he had a chance of getting selected and getting a free pay check.

[ask_analyse_act]

No. But he shouldn't even be entering the draft. He knows that on reputation he had a chance of getting selected and getting a free pay check.

he should have been taken atleast for less money.. Im sure he will do better than those UA and KA.. I heard that he is putting work on his fitness to get picked in PSL... Sad for him that no one picked him...

[Pete Rose]

i was expecting some sense from islu management was the best chance to promote young man as a captain rather than a 38 year old who is on his last legs

I am sure there are quite a few factors at play
- gets the karachi press on their side
- allows shahdab to grow in to captaincy
- high probability of a mid-season promotion for shadab since we have enough evidence of what happens to sami when under pressure

[Barragan]

Raees wasn't bad last time he did it, but there is obviously a question mark over his availability.

Looking through the squad, there are hardly any captaincy options, so they went with someone who has been part of islu the longest and most experienced, which is a fair decision.

[Pete Rose]

Raees wasn't bad last time he did it, but there is obviously a question mark over his availability.

Looking through the squad, there are hardly any captaincy options, so they went with someone who has been part of islu the longest and most experienced, which is a fair decision.

Also has to be mentioned that sami has done quite well as captain in domestic t20's

[Barragan]

Also has to be mentioned that sami has done quite well as captain in domestic t20's

I don't think I've seen his captaincy, so can't say much about it.

It will be interesting to see his captaincy.

[Mamoon]

Shadab has been rewarded for flopping last year.

[Major]

So Mohammad sami is the captain of ISLU

Way have bashed him and made fun of the decision, but i think now lets analyze him.

How good has he been in your opinion? During the tournament opener i liked how he gave Hussain Talat a chance to bowl.

Infact, Sami bowl an over short.

Even today he bought himself late. This shows that this guy isn't selfish and doesn't hog overs like Sohail Tanvir does at Pindi Rams.

[Major]

THe guy was the captain of Islamabad United today, and he ended up leading his team to a major victory against Karachi KIngs

[Rayyman]

Yeah why not?

[Hasan123]

1 game. Needs a longer sample set. But at least we are giving him a chance.

[Chokli]

He needs to solidify his spot in the team first.

We don't need Pseudo All Rounders.

And Shadab was helped by some poor cricket by Karachi

[Specialkid]

M.Sami was rested by management. after crucial victory against pz and a hattrick.

[Brilliance]

Guy needs to justify his place in the 11 first then think about making him VC. If he doesn't improve his game I can see him losing his place after WC.

[Madplayer]

Is nobody going to commend Deano here? Great move by him for the future of Pakistab cricket.

[Mamoon]

He has been hyped to the moon and put on a pedestal since his emergence, but the reality is that apart from his fielding, he is a very average cricketer who is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.

All his skills are for show only.

In international cricket, he had not done anything of note against credible opposition and in PSL, he has largely been a flop since his breakthrough season in 2017.

As far as I am concerned, he needs to go back to F/C cricket and bowl lots and lots of overs. His leg-spin is very undercooked and his tuk tuk batting is of no use in Limited Overs - he is especially weak against spin.

His 20-25 runs in Tests are of no use when he is not a Test class bowler yet. Yasir, In spite of his decline and the fact that he is atrocious outside Asia, is still a much better bowler.

Shadab needs a lot of development before he is even considered for a leadership role in international cricket. No need of making a mockery of Pakistan cricket.