Islamabad United 2021 | Squad and Discussion Thread

[MenInG]

Player retention/release/trade update ahead of the Player Draft:

Islamabad United (retained) – Alex Hales (Platinum; traded from Karachi Kings); Asif Ali (gold); Colin Munro (diamond); Faheem Ashraf (diamond); Hussain Talat (gold, brand ambassador); Musa Khan (silver, successful relegation request); Shadab Khan (platinum); Zafar Gohar (silver, successful relegation request)

Released – Ahmer Safi Abdullah, Akif Javed, Amad Butt, Dale Steyn, Luke Ronchi (unavailable due to coaching duties in New Zealand), Phil Salt, Rassie van der Dussen, Rizwan Hussain, Rumman Raees and Saif Badar

FINAL SQUAD:

[Thunderbolt14]

They have first pick in the draft. They also need a top tier fast bowler. My prediction is either Chris Jordan or Hasan Ali. Probably Hasan Ali.

[Firebat]

Islamabad with the first pick of the day choose Hassan Ali

[Firebat]

Lewis Gregory is Islamabad's second pick of the day, their only Diamond round pick

[Firebat]

Phil Salt to Islamabad once again.

[Firebat]

Rohail Nazir goes to Islamabad.

[Firebat]

Reece Topley picked by Islamabad

[Firebat]

Islamabad take Iftikhar Ahmed

[Firebat]

Mohammad Wasim Jr picked by Islamabad in the Emerging category

[Firebat]

Final pick is Ahmed Saifi Abdullah

[YousafTheBeast]

Islamabad United have the strongest team in the PSL imo.

Alex Hales✈️ (B)
Colin Munro✈️ (B)
Phil Salt (WK)✈️ (B)
Lewis Gregory ✈️ (A-R)
Ifthikar Ahmed/Asif Ali (B)
Faheem Ashraf (A-R)
Shadab Khan (c) (A-R)
Hassan Ali (F/B)
Zafar Gohar (S/B)
Musa Khan (F/B)
Mohammad Wasim (F/B)

May as well give them the trophy.

[Major]

we dont have a good spinner. needed another fastbowler.

batting is packed.

[Thunderbolt14]

we dont have a good spinner. needed another fastbowler.

batting is packed.

Chris Jordan aa gya hai. All good now. Islamabad looks amazing

[Firebat]

Chris Jordan heads to Islamabad as a supplementary pick

[Major]

spinner uthao bas, or maybe batsmen, we are good to go

[Major]

islamabad stole iftikhar.

trust me, it was foolish for other teams not to pick him.

[Firebat]

Last pick is Akif Javed

[Fahdi]

Last pick is Akif Javed

How is his injury?

[b.lesner]

Foolish to let van der dussen go

[Fahdi]

Could have used one reliable batsman capable of playing a steady hand.

Iftikhar is a good pick.

[Fahdi]

Final pick is Ahmed Saifi Abdullah

The spinner?

[Bewal Express]

Tbh, the only guy I am looking forward to seeing is Mohammad Wasim Jnr. Lets see if he lives up to the hype created by Abdul Razzaq

[Titan24]

How is his injury?

Have started fitness training in the rehab.

[Titan24]

The spinner?

Spinner who is a decent bat in the lower order as well

[Titan24]

Tbh, the only guy I am looking forward to seeing is Mohammad Wasim Jnr. Lets see if he lives up to the hype created by Abdul Razzaq

He is pretty quick and will have to keep working on control. Improved that in last few QAE matches

[Firebat]

final squad:

[Bewal Express]

He is pretty quick and will have to keep working on control. Improved that in last few QAE matches

His action is too slingy but I am hoping he works on coming over the top.

[BunnyRabbit]

Apart from Reece Topley, good picks I guess. Although I am not a fan of Musa and Iftikhar.

[RedwoodOriginal]

1. COLIN MUNRO
2. ALEX HALES
3. ROHAIL NAZIR (wk)
4. SHADAB KHAN (c)
5. IFTIKHAR AHMED
6. ASIF ALI
7. LEWIS GREGORY
8. FAHEEM ASHRAF
9. HASAN ALI
10. AHMED SAFI ABDULLAH
11. REECE TOPLEY

[Thunderbolt14]

Easily the best team:

1. Alex Hales ✈️
2. Rohail Nazir (wk) [E]
3. Colin Munro ✈️
4. Shadab Khan (c)
5. Lewis Gregory ✈️
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Chris Jordan ✈️
10. Ahmed Safi Abdullah [E]
11. Musa Khan / Mohammad Wasim Jr. [E]

This is what I would play, but I have a feeling Phil Salt will get the nod over Rohail.

[Major]

Poor stuff from ISB.

If you have the first pick, you go for the worlds best spinner. Hassan ali is not a bad pick, but if you have an option for choosing the worlds best than go for that. We missed out on that i believe

[RedwoodOriginal]

Easily the best team:
1. Alex Hales ✈️
2. Rohail Nazir (wk) [E]
3. Colin Munro ✈️
4. Shadab Khan (c)
5. Lewis Gregory ✈️
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Chris Jordan ✈️
10. Ahmed Safi Abdullah [E]
11. Musa Khan / Mohammad Wasim Jr. [E]

This is what I would play, but I have a feeling Phil Salt will get the nod over Rohail.

Can a player be from both Gold and Emerging?

[RedwoodOriginal]

Easily the best team:

1. Alex Hales ✈️
2. Rohail Nazir (wk) [E]
3. Colin Munro ✈️
4. Shadab Khan (c)
5. Lewis Gregory ✈️
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Chris Jordan ✈️
10. Ahmed Safi Abdullah [E]
11. Musa Khan / Mohammad Wasim Jr. [E]

This is what I would play, but I have a feeling Phil Salt will get the nod over Rohail.

I don't think Jordan will be available for this tournament

[aloo paratha]

Islamabad looking good this time around.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Easily the best team:

1. Alex Hales ✈️
2. Rohail Nazir (wk) [E]
3. Colin Munro ✈️
4. Shadab Khan (c)
5. Lewis Gregory ✈️
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Chris Jordan ✈️
10. Ahmed Safi Abdullah [E]
11. Musa Khan / Mohammad Wasim Jr. [E]

This is what I would play, but I have a feeling Phil Salt will get the nod over Rohail.

I don't think Jordan will be available for this tournament

[Titan24]

Pretty strong squad in which number of combinations can be made and in every combination batting depth and bowling options are impressive:

1.Alex Hales ✈️
2.Colin Munro ✈️
3.Rohail Nazir (WK)
4.Hussain Talat
5.Shadab Khan
6.Iftikhar Ahmed
7.Lewis Gregory ✈️
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Hassan Ali
10.Zafar Gohar/ Ahmed Safi
11. Reece Topely ✈️ / Chris Jordan✈️ / Akif Javed/ Mohammad Wasim Jr/ Musa Khan

[Titan24]

The only slight loop hole I can think of is that if Topely and Jordan both get selected for Eng than there wont be frontline overseas bowling option available.

[Saj]

Islamabad United, assistant coach, Saeed Ajmal: “The Draft has gone exactly the way we had hoped for. We picked Hasan Ali, who is in excellent form and will strengthen our bowling that now comprises Faheem Ashraf, Gregory Lewis, Musa Khan, Recee Topley, Shadab Khan and Zafar Gohar. We then opted for two wicketkeeper/batsmen in Phil Salt and Rohail Nazir. Overall, we are happy with our selections and hopefully these will reflect in our performances.”

[BunnyRabbit]

Good squad except for 1 or 2 selections.

[Thunderbolt14]

I don't think Jordan will be available for this tournament

The other person between Musa and Mohammad Wasim comes in, plus you have Akif if he’s recovered enough from injury.

[Thunderbolt14]

The only slight loop hole I can think of is that if Topely and Jordan both get selected for Eng than there wont be frontline overseas bowling option available.

Why does Islamabad need one?

Hassan Ali
Faheem Ashraf
Akif Javed
Musa Khan
Mohammad Wasim Jr
Hussain Talat

Shadab Khan
Ahmed Safi Abdullah
Zafar Gohar
Iftikhar Ahmed

These are the 10 local bowling options, not counting another 3 foreign options.

And they just need 6 of these guys per match!

[the Great Khan]

Pretty strong squad in which number of combinations can be made and in every combination batting depth and bowling options are impressive:

1.Alex Hales ✈️
2.Colin Munro ✈️
3.Rohail Nazir (WK)
4.Hussain Talat
5.Shadab Khan
6.Iftikhar Ahmed
7.Lewis Gregory ✈️
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Hassan Ali
10.Zafar Gohar/ Ahmed Safi
11. Reece Topely ✈️ / Chris Jordan✈️ / Akif Javed/ Mohammad Wasim Jr/ Musa Khan

will be surprised if we dont make the final this year..My hopes are up hehe..
Really hopinh Hussein Talat has a big season this year..I like the kid and if he can become really consistent he can give Pak a great option. Rohail for me is a future superstar for us..just like the look of this kid. Uncle ifti is a versatile professional..proper county psl player..gives the side good balance..that opening combo will be destructive if they come off..I expect some zoardaar scoring!!

[Titan24]

Why does Islamabad need one?

Hassan Ali
Faheem Ashraf
Akif Javed
Musa Khan
Mohammad Wasim Jr
Hussain Talat

Shadab Khan
Ahmed Safi Abdullah
Zafar Gohar
Iftikhar Ahmed

These are the 10 local bowling options, not counting another 3 foreign options.

And they just need 6 of these guys per match!

Agreed that they should be fine without one but, its always good to have a decent experienced foreign bowler available if required.

Also I think when no overseas bowling options are available then rather than going with 3 overseas players they might bring in Salt and one of the local batsman or Rohail will need to sit out which might not be bad for the team but, in terms of development would like young batsmen to be able to get games as well.

[Fahdi]

Pretty strong squad in which number of combinations can be made and in every combination batting depth and bowling options are impressive:

1.Alex Hales ✈️
2.Colin Munro ✈️
3.Rohail Nazir (WK)
4.Hussain Talat
5.Shadab Khan
6.Iftikhar Ahmed
7.Lewis Gregory ✈️
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Hassan Ali
10.Zafar Gohar/ Ahmed Safi
11. Reece Topely ✈️ / Chris Jordan✈️ / Akif Javed/ Mohammad Wasim Jr/ Musa Khan

That Middle order worries me. Shadab's batting is being overrated, Hussain Talat is prone to brain fades and can get stuck at the crease like he did in that chase in South Africa, Iftikhar is good when his role is clear but I don't trust him to be able to construct an innings. Rohail Nazir is unproven and inexperienced, he may work out great for the anchor sort of role but can't be sure about him.

With Jordan the bowling looks great. Without him it still looks good but I fear they may not be able to keep things in control if and when boundaries start raining. You need someone with a calm head in that sort of situation and best bet is Faheem for that. Rumman Raees used to do the job for us before.

[Forum363]

Delighted that Misbah is no longer weighing down the franchise. Already the selections show what a difference he was making.

Will be going back to supporting them this season after choosing Multan last year due to the underrated / underdogs factor.

[TeymurBlake]

My IU line-up would be:

1. Alex Hales (F)
2. Colin Munro (F)
3. Hussain Talat
4. Rohail Nazir (WK)
5. Shadab Khan (C)
6. Lewis Gregory (F)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Hasan Ali
10. Mohammad Wasim (E)
11. Reece Topley (F)

This would my ideal line-up. I wouldn't add Asif Ali and I don't think Jordan would available. Would like to see Akif Javed and maybe Phil Salt get games.

[Deewana Mastana]

Are SA players not available throughout the PSL?

As none barring Miller and Tahir got picked who aren't playing for SA.

[Saj]

Are SA players not available throughout the PSL?

As none barring Miller and Tahir got picked who aren't playing for SA.

Australia is scheduled to tour South Africa and then England are in March.

[Saj]

Middle-order batting could be a problem, but the bowling looks pretty good.

[Deewana Mastana]

Australia is scheduled to tour South Africa and then England are in March.

Okay as I think Nortje and Rabada had also put their names in there too but there's no point selecting someone who won't be available for the entire tournament or just 2-3 games.

[Thunderbolt14]

Middle-order batting could be a problem, but the bowling looks pretty good.

Helps that they bat all the way down until 11. That means they just need 1 or 2 of the middle order batsmen to fire since everyone can contribute a couple boundaries on a reliable basis.

Your average Islamabad game will just need 1 of Hales and Munro to fire, just one of Shadab and Talat to fire, and just one of Faheem and Hassan to fire, with the bat - this can comfortably continue to reach 180+ scores.

[mahmed]

who got Asif Ali ?

[RedwoodOriginal]

The other person between Musa and Mohammad Wasim comes in, plus you have Akif if he’s recovered enough from injury.

Yeah but why did they have to waste their pick? Not like Jordan is the best T20 bowler in the world that they had to get him. Same with QG who had a great opportunity to grab big players as Roy and Watson were both gone and they went for Banton

[shamaan]

alex hales
Munro
Husain talat
Shadab
Rohail nazir
Iftikhar
Gregory
Ashraf
Hassan ali
Ahmed safi/gohar
Wasim jnr

[Hasan123]

Okay as I think Nortje and Rabada had also put their names in there too but there's no point selecting someone who won't be available for the entire tournament or just 2-3 games.

Norje and Rabada were not in the PSL draft.

[Deewana Mastana]

Norje and Rabada were not in the PSL draft.

Ok as I thought I had seen their names lol

[KoyoAli]

Islamabad United, the most successful franchise in HBL PSL history and the winner of the first and third edition of the tournament, has announced today that Rumman Raees will be the Bowling Consultant for the franchise in PSL 6. Rumman has previously played for Islamabad United in each of the past five PSL seasons.

The Pakistan international who played over thirty matches for Islamabad United, including two as captain in PSL 3, will serve under Johan Botha in this role. Injury had meant that Rumman would miss out on the 2020/21 domestic season as well as PSL 6.

Regarding his appointment Botha said “After conducting interviews with some really high-quality candidates, we have reached a conclusion to bring in Rumman Raees as our bowling consultant for PSL 6. Rumman is part of the Islamabad United family from the start, I have worked with him in PSL 2 and he is one of the most intelligent T20 bowlers that I encountered in my years of playing T20 cricket around the world. At Islamabad United we want to have a progressive approach that caters to modern day T20 cricket and Rumman is perfect for our ideology. He is playing cricket currently, understands the needs of modern-day cricket and can relate to our young bowling line-up. We are very happy to have him in the setup.”

Ali Naqvi, the Owner of Islamabad United said, “Rumman has been part of the ISLU family for five years and we were obviously disappointed at a recurrence of his injury issues. When Johan came to us with this idea we were a little surprised by it. But after mulling it over, and with the insistence from the Head Coach we realized that this is precisely the sort of out-of-the-box thinking that we take pride in as a franchise. He provides the progressive understanding of T20 cricket that we are looking for, and we are confident that he will do his utmost in achieving our shared goals.”

Rumman himself said regarding his appointment, “It’s an honour for me that Johan and Islamabad United selected me for this role. I’d also like to thank Ali Naqvi for this opportunity. ISLU have always backed me over the last five years, through my good times and my bad times, and I want to give back to them as they have given to me. I’ll do my utmost to make sure I can impart whatever knowledge I have with all the boys. When Johan asked me for an interview, I was surprised by it, but having had discussions with him over the past month I think we will be able to make plans for our bowlers to maximize what we have. I will fully back all the guys on the field and make sure that I can share my experience of T20 cricket with them.”

[Fahdi]

^ Interesting development this. A case of looking after one of their own?

[MenInG]

Colin Munro who was supposed to play for Islamabad has had to rule himself out of the PSL. New Zealand Government law requires that quarantine spaces are booked in advance. Whilst PSL will end in March, quarantine spaces are not available in New Zealand till May #PSL6 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 2, 2021

[Thunderbolt14]

Colin Munro who was supposed to play for Islamabad has had to rule himself out of the PSL. New Zealand Government law requires that quarantine spaces are booked in advance. Whilst PSL will end in March, quarantine spaces are not available in New Zealand till May #PSL6 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 2, 2021

Good news for some of the local batsmen.

[Titan24]

Rassie Van Der Dussen (If opts for downgrade to diamond) or Henrich Klaasen can be good replacements of Munro as SA vs Aus has been postponed and both are in Pakistan. Evin Lewis can be another like to like option if available for diamond while Gunthalika can be decent pick too.

Lets see what IU opts for here.

[MenInG]

Good news for some of the local batsmen.

Guess not that huge a loss for IU?

[Deewana Mastana]

Losing Munro is a big blow for IU as he was in decent form especially in the BBL now and even last year for IU scored at a good rate over 147 SR and average of over 35.

[Deewana Mastana]

Rassie Van Der Dussen (If opts for downgrade to diamond) or Henrich Klaasen can be good replacements of Munro as SA vs Aus has been postponed and both are in Pakistan. Evin Lewis can be another like to like option if available for diamond while Gunthalika can be decent pick too.

Lets see what IU opts for here.

What about de Kock if SA are free during PSL?

[shamaan]

Thats defonitely an upgrade all 4 mentioned in the above postss but i would expect him to be in the platinum dont think he will go for anything less tban that

[Titan24]

What about de Kock if SA are free during PSL?

Wasnt in the draft so not sure about the rules in such a case. A polite inquiry by IU if allowed by the PSL governing body can be done however, IU doesnt have any platinum pick left and not sure if QDK will be willing to come in as diamond pick.

In the case it is allowed then even Faf or Rabada can be approached but, then again it comes down to categories and if they will be willing to go for the diamond pay scale. To be honest in T20s Faf is more of a diamond category player than QDK or Rabada.

[MenInG]

Former Black Cap Colin Munro has pulled out of the coming Pakistan Super League (PSL 2021) to avoid being trapped in the country for seven weeks after the T20 competition.

Due to a shortage of beds in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities until late May, Munro would have been stuck in Pakistan when the competition finished on March 22 until he could gain a voucher.

Munro, who has been one of the form batsmen in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) T20 competition, scored 248 runs at 35.42 with a strike rate of 147.61 in the previous edition of the PSL when playing for Islamabad United.

Colin Munro will not travel to Pakistan due to a lack of beds in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
He was due to again turn out for Islamabad in 2021.

“I am very disappointed to be missing out because Islamabad were really good to me,” Munro said

“They retained me knowing I was going to go there straight after the Big Bash but I just could not get any quarantine booked in time.

“The PSL finishes on the 23rd [22nd] of March and I could only get back into the country in the middle of May then another two weeks on top of that. It is tough but the world the way it is maybe that is a silver lining – spend some more time at home with the family and get ready for whatever is next,” Munro told ESPN’s Cricinfo.

The former Auckland batsman, who no longer has a contract with New Zealand Cricket, told Stuff last week he was open to a Black Caps recall for the coming T20 series against Australia but was not expecting it.

Munro will be back in action for the Perth Scorchers against the Brisbane Heat on Thursday night in the challenger final for a spot in the big dance against the Sydney Sixers on Saturday.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricke...of-beds-in-miq

[hadi123]

Hear ye Hear ye Hear ye!

I think that Islamabad United should go for Luke Wright as a replacement of Colin Munro - I believe he was in the initial draft list so would be available. Why?

1) He has experience of playing PSL before - for Quetta Gladiators.
2) He is playing in T10 so logistics should be easy for him to fly over to Pakistan over ahead of quarantine and a lot of players in PSL are in action in T10 so he will potentially pick up some strengths and weaknesses being captain of Team Abu Dhabi and he is used to these conditions.
3) He knows Phil Salt who also plays for Islamabad United due to being team mates at Sussex - he will feel more comfortable with a friend which will boost team morale and therefore he should play well.


Therefore, Islamabad United should target Luke Wright as a replacement for Munro - good like for like replacment.

The other alternatives is Rassie van der Dussen, he was in the draft and was in the squad last year only to be replaced due to international commitments, but I guess Wright is a more like for like replacement.

[MenInG]

Attock-born pace-bowler Ali Khan who now plays for USA has signed for Islamabad United #PSL6 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/KAXBG3FCIa

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 14, 2021

[Saj]

They are also looking to sign Paul Stirling the hard-hitting Ireland opener and also leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed.

[anonymous_guy]

They are also looking to sign Paul Stirling the hard-hitting Ireland opener and also leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed.

1) This is a smart move, have been a Paul Stirling fan for a while. This guy misses out on a lot of leagues because of the team he plays for, but he is good, genuinely good and has also scored in the asian pitches.

2) There were better options than Ali Khan for sure, Morne Morkel could have been picked in diamond in place of Colin Munro and Paul in the silver, or the Overton brothers, Duanne Olivier, Liam Plunkett, Hardus Vilioen, Tymal Mills just a few who could have been a better option than Ali.

[MenInG]

Colin Munro's replacement at Islamabad United is likely to be Ireland batsman Paul Stirling #PSL6 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 15, 2021

[MenInG]

Australia leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed who has represented Gladiators in the earlier HBL PSL seasons replaces New Zealand batsman Colin Munro in the Islamabad United squad.

Munro would be unavailable for United due to the prevailing Covid-19 related managed isolation space challenges in New Zealand.

United have also included USA fast bowler Ali Khan as a replacement for England’s Reece Topley who has been included in England’s T20I squad on their ongoing tour of India.

Ireland batsman Paul Stirling is the third replacement in the United squad in place of England fast bowler Chris Jordan who has also been included in the T20I squad for the series against India.

[UzmanBeast]

ISLU should play Zafar Gohar, he's been on the bench for quite some time, and he is a good player. I don't understand why he didn't get games for the franchise earlier, but he is with the national team, and should really get some opportunities.

[RedwoodOriginal]

I don't know what was going through Islamabad's head when they selected Jordan. Shows just a complete lack of awareness and research by their think-tank which btw has some pretty smart people like Rehan-ul-Haq and Hassan Cheema who understand cricket very well.

Also, Stirling for Munro is like trading in your Road Bike for a Sohrab.

[Titan24]

I don't know what was going through Islamabad's head when they selected Jordan. Shows just a complete lack of awareness and research by their think-tank which btw has some pretty smart people like Rehan-ul-Haq and Hassan Cheema who understand cricket very well.

Also, Stirling for Munro is like trading in your Road Bike for a Sohrab.

I think with regards to Jordan as supplementary IU took a hedged risk. While the chances of him not getting selected for the T20s vs Ind were very slim but, if something like that would have happened or the players selected for T20 series would have been available for some matches which they dont seem to be than it would have paid of. However, they knew there will always be a replacement draft and they could always pick someone else at that time as their supplementary player.

Stirling on the other hand has been good in recent times in international cricket as well as leagues around. Other options of top order batsmen in the category could have been Luke Wright, Andre Fletcher and Gunthalika. Stirling arguably has been striking it better as per recent form.

[Hasan123]

Happy with Stirling coming in.

[Forum363]

Strange assortment of international players but Hales is a huge signing.

Now Islamabad are rid of Misbah finally, I expect them to storm to the title with only Quetta standing in their way.

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think with regards to Jordan as supplementary IU took a hedged risk. While the chances of him not getting selected for the T20s vs Ind were very slim but, if something like that would have happened or the players selected for T20 series would have been available for some matches which they dont seem to be than it would have paid of. However, they knew there will always be a replacement draft and they could always pick someone else at that time as their supplementary player.

Stirling on the other hand has been good in recent times in international cricket as well as leagues around. Other options of top order batsmen in the category could have been Luke Wright, Andre Fletcher and Gunthalika. Stirling arguably has been striking it better as per recent form.

Just don't think it was in any way a rational decision. Can't even remember the last time Jordan was left out of an England T20I squad. When there is an abundance of choices why would you pick someone whose availability is so unlikely?

I would have preferred Fletcher or Gunathilaka. Gunathilaka in particular is a really underrated player imo eventho his stats might not show that and I would have liked to see him in PSL. Stirling at the end of the day is neither a big name nor a particularly hot commodity. The leagues he has played in: LPL, Mzansi, BPL and Shpageeza are arguably the worst T20 leagues in the world in regards to quality of cricket and overseas talent pool.

[RedwoodOriginal]

IU could be in for another hiding this season. Squad suddenly looks pretty weak without Munro, Ronchi and Reece Topley.

Hales is the only big overseas name.