Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United have brought in English all-rounder Samit Patel to replace Sri Lanka all-rounder Asela Gunaratne after the latter opted out of the tournament. Gunaratne will be missing the third edition of the PSL because of the Sri Lanka team training camp, which coincides with the tournament that kicks off on February 22 in the UAE. “Patel brings a wealth of experience to the United squad with 214 T20 games under his belt where he scored 4,174 career runs and took 178 wickets,” read a press release. Patel has represented England in 18 T20I matches with a highest score of 67 and also has seven wickets to his name. Meanwhile, England fast-bowler David Willey also pulled out of the PSL due to a pre-season county tour.

Islamabad have replaced him with another England pacer in Steven Finn. The 28-year-old was picked as a partial replacement for Willy, but he has assured his availability for the complete tournament now. The third edition of the PSL will see a sixth team, Multan Sultans, become a part of the earlier five-team tournament, which will start with the clash between the Sultans and second edition winners Peshawar Zalmi. The third edition will see the last three matches – two eliminators and the final – taking place in Pakistan. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the eliminators, while the National Stadium of Karachi will host the landmark final as a Pakistan Cricket Board initiative to bring international cricket back into the country.

Published in Daily Times, February 14^th 2018.