Islamabad United win war to get Naseem Shah for PSL 9

Pakistan Super League's (PSL) franchise Islamabad United Saturday announced that ace pacer Naseem Shah has joined the two-time winners in a major swap deal.

Naseem, who was a part of Quetta Gladiators, was the topic of discussion among the cricket fraternity and every PSL franchise was eyeing to bring the 20-year-old on board after it was reported that he had decided to leave Quetta.

Iska tha intezaar!! #NaseemTheDream https://t.co/ODKX0dAmc9

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 2, 2023

Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed and Muhammad Wasim Jr — who represented United — moved to Quetta Gladiators.

📣📣

Are YOU charged 🔋 for the most awaited trade of the season!?!? 🔥🔥

Naseem Shah moves to 🔁 Islamabad United

Abrar Ahmed moves to 🔁 Quetta Gladiators

Mohammad Wasim Jr moves to 🔁 Quetta Gladiators #HBLPSLDraft #HBLPSL9 @iNaseemShah @IsbUnited @TeamQuetta pic.twitter.com/IGZFDCt0WL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 2, 2023

There were strong rumours that Naseem might end up joining Multan Sultans, who recently got Iftikhar Ahmed in another swap deal, or Peshawar Zalmi, but Islamabad came out triumphant in the race to get the pacer’s signature.

There are still 11 days in the much-anticipated PSL 9 draft, but Islamabad has already gotten two of the best players of the shorter format.

Welcome @iNaseemShah to the #ISLUFamily! ❤️🦁#UnitedWeWin #NaseemTheDream #HBLPSL9 pic.twitter.com/ki5niV3fAD

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 2, 2023

Imad Wasim became part of the United family in a swap deal that saw pacer Hasan Ali joining Karachi Kings. The left-handed all-rounder was the Player of the Tournament in PSL 8 with 404 runs and nine wickets in 10 matches.

With some of the finest hard hitters like Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Pakistan’s Azam Khan, and Asif Ali and all-rounders like Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf, Islamabad are slowly becoming one of the favourites for the upcoming season.