Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan has pledged to return stronger in the next HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season following their defeat to Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium.
The Qalandars set a challenging total with significant contributions from Mohammad Naeem and Kusal Perera, whose aggressive batting laid the foundation for their team’s victory.
In response, Islamabad United’s batting struggled to keep pace.
Salman Ali Agha led the charge with a determined effort, supported by Shadab Khan’s quick runs, but the rest of the lineup failed to make a meaningful impact. The team ultimately fell short, ending their campaign.
Reflecting on the loss, Shadab acknowledged shortcomings in key areas, citing missed opportunities to take wickets at critical moments and the inability to contain the opposition’s powerplay effectively.
He also noted the team’s death bowling did not meet expectations.
Shadab explained the decision to promote youngster Muhammad Shahzad to open was due to the absence of Alex Hales, who had previously played a match-winning innings.
While Shahzad’s promotion was a strategic choice given his experience as an opener, it did not pay off in this match.
Despite the defeat, Shadab praised Sahibzada Farhan for his consistent performances throughout the competitive tournament, describing them as a bright spot for Islamabad United.
“We have to reflect on our mistakes, learn from them, and come back stronger next season,” Shadab said.
His words underline the team’s determination to improve and reclaim success in future editions of the HBL PSL.
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