Shadab confident of reviving Islamabad United campaign

RAWALPINDI: Shadab Khan was confident of putting Islamabad United’s campaign back on track with the important match against Peshawar Zalmi today (Monday), saying that over the years Pindi Stadium has turned out to be a home venue for both the teams.

In an exclusive interview with ‘The News’ a day ahead of the important Pakistan Super League (PSL) outing against Zalmi, Shadab said that getting the campaign back on track in front of the home crowd would be a big plus.

“I am eagerly looking forward to putting the PSL campaign back on track with the match against Zalmi at the Pindi Stadium on Monday. A win here would see United going ahead of Zalmi and making us one of the favourites for play-offs.”

United captain hoped that his team would come all guns blazing against Zalmi. “We have yet to reach our full potential for one reason or the other but I think the time has come to make a move and start playing our best cricket. Performances have come in bits and pieces so far. When every player starts performing then things go tougher for the opposition. We have lost a good opportunity to muster two points because of rain but I think the time has approached when you would see United playing its best all-round cricket.”

He rated Zalmi as one of the toughest opponents in the ninth edition. “They are one of the toughest sides having services of some of the exciting talent. Our efforts would be to beat them and make a strong announcement of putting our campaign back on track.”

On facing the pressure of playing in front of the home crowd, Shadab said that Pindi Stadium could be rated as the home venue for both the teams. “The venue is just across KPK. You always find fans turning up in numbers to watch Zalmi in action from all around. The venue is as much as our home ground as it is for Peshawar Zalmi.”

Shadab also praised the Pindi crowd for supporting positive and aggressive cricket. “The Pindi crowd knows cricket well. They always appreciate good cricket no matter which team is there. The crowd on Monday will support both teams which indeed is a very positive sign from a cricketing point of view.”

Besides Shadab, three other local players Imad Wasim, Haider Ali and young Shyml Hussain are there for United. “We have good local representation in the squad which indeed is a welcome sign for local cricket.”

United is one of the most successful teams in the PSL, winning two titles so far. With Lahore Qalandars struggling to match the best in the 9th edition, Islamabad have the golden opportunity to become the only team to win the title for the third time. The Caribbean duo of Mathew Forde and Obed McCoy have also joined United to strengthen the squad. With five points from six matches, United are eyeing to win at least two more matches from the remaining four to get into play-offs.

TODAY'S FIXTURE

United vs Zalmi

7:00 pm PST