Islamabad United Squad PSL 2026 blends Shadab Khan’s leadership, Devon Conway’s class, and Faheem Ashraf’s all-round power. Full squad breakdown inside.
Key Takeaways
- Islamabad United rebuilt almost their entire roster through PSL’s first-ever open auction, spending close to their full PKR 450 million purse across 18 players.
- Shadab Khan continues as captain, while Luke Ronchi — a former United player from the club’s title-winning era — takes over as head coach from Mike Hesson.
- Devon Conway and Mark Chapman form arguably the most balanced overseas top order in the tournament, while Faheem Ashraf, signed for PKR 8.50 crore, gives the side a genuine match-winning all-rounder.
- The squad’s biggest question marks are a thin spin department and an untested middle order.
Pakistan Super League’s eleventh edition isn’t just another season for Islamabad United — it’s a reset. With the league expanding to eight franchises and introducing a full player auction for the first time in its history, a team that built its identity on three titles had to earn its squad back, player by player, bid by bid. Here’s what that rebuild actually looks like, what it means for their title chances, and where the cracks might show.
Why PSL 2026 Forced Islamabad United to Start Over
For a decade, Islamabad United operated under franchise agreements and draft systems that let them retain a recognizable core year after year. That changed in 2026. Every franchise agreement across the league expired, and clubs had to renegotiate their place in PSL from scratch. Islamabad United moved quickly, becoming the first franchise to lock in a renewed decade-long partnership with the PCB — a signal of financial confidence at a time when other owners were still negotiating terms.
The bigger shake-up came with personnel. In January 2026, the club confirmed that Luke Ronchi would replace Mike Hesson as head coach. Ronchi isn’t a stranger to this dressing room — he played for United during the years the franchise built its early titles, which matters more than it might seem on paper. Having followed PSL coaching changes over the years, the ones that work tend to involve someone who already understands a club’s internal culture rather than an outsider trying to import a system. Ronchi fits that mold.
Then came the auction itself: a PKR 450 million purse, an open market, and no guarantees. United had to compete for players they might once have simply retained.
The Squad: Who Islamabad United Actually Signed
Between retentions, a direct signing, and the auction floor, Islamabad United ended up with an 18-player squad built around a clear philosophy — anchor the top order, load up on pace, and trust the captain to manage the rest.
Retained Core and Direct Signing
Shadab Khan was retained at PKR 7 crore, an amount nobody seriously questioned given his role as captain and the club’s most recognizable figure. Devon Conway arrived as a direct signing at PKR 6.30 crore before the auction even opened, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous (PKR 1.40 crore) and domestic seamer Salman Irshad (PKR 1.20 crore).
Auction-Floor Additions
The auction is where the squad’s character really took shape. Faheem Ashraf became the second most expensive player sold in the entire PSL 2026 auction at PKR 8.50 crore — a price that reflects how many franchises wanted him and how far United was willing to go to win that bid. Mark Chapman followed at PKR 7 crore, giving the top order serious firepower. The pace-bowling group filled out with Mohammad Wasim Jr (PKR 4.10 crore), Khurram Shahzad (PKR 2.70 crore), Richard Gleeson, and Shamar Joseph, while Imad Wasim (PKR 2.20 crore) joined as the main support spinner alongside Shadab.
A notable late addition was Mohammad Faiq, who signed roughly 20 days before the tournament despite never having played a PSL match. His domestic numbers are hard to ignore — a batting average above 60 and a strike rate close to 190 in T20 cricket. If given real minutes, he could end up being the squad’s most talked-about story by the end of the season.
It’s worth noting that Shamar Joseph’s signing wasn’t without controversy — allegations of sexual misconduct against him, dating back to 2025, drew criticism from sections of the fanbase when his inclusion was announced. The franchise confirmed it proceeded with the signing following its internal review process, though the matter continued to generate discussion around the squad announcement.
Batting Depth: Where United’s Real Strength Lies
Devon Conway is, by most measures, the standout overseas pick of this squad. A career T20I average north of 40 tells you he’s not just a stroke-maker — he builds innings with intent, and he knows when to shift gears. Pairing him with Mark Chapman, a player in strong recent franchise-cricket form who can bat at the top or at three, gives United a top order with genuine contrast: one player sets the platform, the other accelerates from the first over.
Beyond the top order, Haider Ali offers explosive middle-order hitting when he’s in rhythm, Andries Gous adds flexibility as a keeper-batter who can slot in almost anywhere in the top six, and Max Bryant brings additional overseas power-hitting to a lineup that already looks deep on paper.
Bowling Attack: Pace-Heavy by Design
If there’s one clear theme to how Islamabad United built this squad, it’s pace depth. Faheem Ashraf leads that group — not just as a new-ball bowler who consistently hits the stumps, but as a genuine all-rounder capable of contributing runs lower down the order. Mohammad Wasim Jr adds raw speed north of 145 km/h, while Khurram Shahzad brings swing that could trouble top orders on helpful surfaces. Overseas options Richard Gleeson and Shamar Joseph round out a pace battery that, on paper, is one of the deepest in the league.
Spin is where the attack thins out. Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim are the only recognized frontline spin options, which could become a problem on slower, drier surfaces later in the tournament.
Home Advantage: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Islamabad United plays its home fixtures at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a venue generally known for a fast outfield and pitches that reward aggressive stroke play early on while still offering something for pace bowlers with the new ball. Given how the squad is built — a power-hitting top order supported by a pace-heavy attack — the venue’s characteristics line up well with the team’s natural game plan.
Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance
Strengths:
- Conway and Chapman form one of the more balanced overseas opening pairs in the competition
- Faheem Ashraf changes the equation in both batting and bowling departments
- A coaching staff with genuine internal knowledge of the club’s culture under Ronchi
- Six credible pace-bowling options — unusually deep for a T20 squad
Weaknesses:
- Spin options are limited to two frontline bowlers
- The middle order (Haider Ali, Bryant, Airee) has no track record playing together
- No like-for-like backup if Faheem Ashraf is injured
- Ronchi is untested as a head coach at this level
Final Word: Realistic Title Chances
On paper, Islamabad United has assembled one of the more complete squads in PSL 2026 — deep batting, varied pace bowling, and a captain who has already navigated knockout pressure successfully. Whether that translates into a fourth title depends less on individual talent and more on execution: can Conway and Chapman deliver consistently at the top, can an unfamiliar middle order gel quickly enough, and can this pace attack hold up against the league’s stronger batting lineups. Those are solvable problems for a club with this much depth and experience, but they are not guarantees.
For a broader look at how the league itself changed this season, our full breakdown of the PSL 2026 new franchises and expansion covers the auction system and format shift in more detail. For official player profiles, ESPNcricinfo’s PSL coverage and Wisden’s PSL 2026 squad database remain reliable references for verified pricing and player history.
FAQs: Islamabad United PSL 2026
Who is the captain of Islamabad United in PSL 2026? Shadab Khan, who has led the side since PSL 9 and captained the team to the title in 2024.
Who is the head coach of Islamabad United in PSL 2026? Luke Ronchi, who replaced Mike Hesson in January 2026 and previously played for the franchise during its title-winning seasons.
How many PSL titles has Islamabad United won? Three — in 2016, 2018, and 2024 — making them the most successful franchise in PSL history.
Who was Islamabad United’s most expensive auction signing in PSL 2026? Faheem Ashraf, signed for PKR 8.50 crore, the second-highest fee paid for any player in the entire auction.
Season Update:
Islamabad United — How Their PSL 11 Season Went
Islamabad had the platform for a fourth PSL title and got agonisingly close. They finished second in the league stage with 13 points and the tournament’s second-best NRR at +1.667, built largely on the strength of their batting depth. But the playoffs were unkind — a 70-run loss to Zalmi in the Qualifier sent them into the second-chance route, and they were eliminated two days later by Hyderabad Kingsmen by the smallest possible margin: 2 runs. It’s a tough way for a strong league campaign to end, and it’ll sting more given how close that Eliminator 2 finish was.