In a momentous development, the reigning titans of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Islamabad United, have augmented their roster with the inclusion of the prodigious Sahibzada Farhan, designating him as their 20th squad constituent for the forthcoming 10th iteration of the prestigious tournament. The franchise officially ratified this acquisition on Friday, heralding Farhan’s return to the fold where he first unfurled his cricketing banner as an emerging talent in 2018.
Farhan’s ascension to this echelon is a testament to his unparalleled virtuosity in the recently concluded National T20 Cup, where he obliterated records with a staggering accumulation of 605 runs across a mere seven innings. This extraordinary feat, punctuated by three centuries, has enshrined him as the preeminent run-scorer in a solitary edition of the competition. His pièce de résistance—a colossal 162 not out—stands as the joint third-highest individual score in the annals of T20 cricket, aligning him with an elite coterie of only five batsmen worldwide to achieve the trifecta of centuries in a single T20 tournament.
Islamabad United, in a grandiose proclamation, expressed their elation: “We are exceedingly gratified to proclaim Sahibzada Farhan as our 20th squad luminary for HBL PSL X.” This supplementary category enlistment underscores the franchise’s strategic foresight in fortifying their battalion, a sentiment echoed by head coach Mike Hesson. “Sahibzada’s domestic preeminence and seasoned acumen render him an invaluable asset, capable of seamlessly integrating into the XI and delivering performances of resounding impact whenever summoned,” Hesson opined, extolling the batsman’s readiness to bolster the team’s bench strength.
Farhan’s journey with Islamabad United is imbued with historical resonance, having played an instrumental role in securing their second PSL triumph. Despite an initial oversight during the PSL 10 draft in January, his resplendent form in the domestic arena proved irrefutable, compelling the defending champions to reintegrate him into their ranks. His return heralds a confluence of experience and exuberance, poised to galvanize Islamabad United’s campaign as they endeavor to perpetuate their dominion in the league’s decennial spectacle.
