PSL 2018: Islamabad United captain Misbah-ul-Haq to miss the final

The third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is currently underway and has entered the playoff stage where the top four teams are competing for the title. In the qualifier at the Dubai International Stadium, the Islamabad United comprehensively managed to beat the Karachi Kings by eight wickets. Subsequently, they progressed to the final that will be played at the Karachi National Stadium for the first time.

Hairline wrist fracture for Misbah

However, despite the thumping victory, Islamabad have much to ponder about on the eve of Sunday’s final. Misbah-ul-Haq, the captain of the team, has been ruled out of their upcoming game owing to a hairline fracture in his wrist. The 43-year-old suffered the injury following a vicious bouncer from Tymal Mills in Islamabad’s last league match against Karachi, which they won by seven wickets.

He also missed the game against Imad Wasim’s Karachi Kings owing to the same injury. He spent the entire Saturday night in the hospital and got the injury treated. Meanwhile, he also pledged to play the game with injections and expressed his desire to guide his team to the Final. However, he couldn’t turn up for the game. Jean-Paul Duminy, the South African cricketer, captained the team in his place.

Misbah also missed the opening couple of games in the tournament and Rumman Raees, the Pakistani pacer, led the side in his absence. Islamabad United was the most consistent team in the league stages having won seven out of their ten games. Nevertheless, apart from captaincy, Misbah hasn’t had much to contribute in the series.

He played eight games in the tournament and batted only four times in which he scored 57 runs at an average of 19. His top score of 22 runs came against Quetta Gladiators, captained by Sarfraz Ahmed. Misbah’s injury comes as a body blow to United, however, they would be looking to strain every muscle in order to win the championship.

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