PSL 6: Islamabad United primed for third crown

No franchise has won more titles in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) history than Islamabad United. They made it to the final twice in the first three seasons - 2016 and 2018 - and clinched the glittering trophy on both occasions.

Islamabad, who had a dreadful PSL in 2020 when they ended up bottom of the piles - may have lost the services of Luke Ronchi, Colin Ingram, Saif Badar and Akif Javed but have considerably bolstered their squad for the upcoming edition.

However, they have suffered a crippling blow with the unavailability of Colin Munro who had been retained by the franchise because of a quarantine system put in place by New Zealand and would have not reached his home country until the middle of May.

While Islamabad, who will be again led by Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, are still going through process of filling in the slot created by Munro's forced absence, the two-time winners have added the batting firepower of England discard Alex Hales, Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali and the emerging pace-bowling sensation Mohammad Wasim in a well-balanced squad that could go all the way this time.

But one familiar figure will be glaringly missing from the Islamabad dugout for the first time is the celebrated physio Errol Alcott who was the mastermind behind the scenes of Australia's all-conquering cricket sides from 1984 to 2006. According to the Islamabad team sources, the 65-year-old Alcott said he dislikes the bio-secure bubble life at his age.