PSL 2025: 'Perfect And Destructive' - Naseem Shah Excited With Islamabad United's Two New Additions

Pakistan and Islamabad United pacer Naseem Shah is excited with the defending champions' two new additions to the team for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 - Australian duo Matthew Short and Riley Meredith.

The three-time champions roped in top-order Australia batter Short, who boasts a vast experience in the shortest format, as their final pick in the first round of the platinum category, while opting for right-arm emerging pacer Riley Meredith in the Supplementary category.

Both the Australian stars are in demand in franchise leagues across the world, and bring a wealth of experience in the shortest format, including their stints in cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I'm really excited to see two players in particular joining Islamabad United this season: Riley Meredith and Matt Short," Naseem said in a statement released by the franchise earlier this week.

Meredith recently clocked 152.1kmph in the Big Bash League when turning up for Hobart Hurricanes in season 14. The 28-year-old, who bowls consistently at 140kmph plus, will be a perfect fit for Pakistani fans, according to Naseem.

"Riley's pace and bounce are something special, and I think he's going to light up the league. Pakistani fans are passionate about fast bowling, and we love express pace-Riley fits that perfectly," Naseem added.

Short, who is part of Australia's white-ball squads, was recently named in the Champions Trophy squad. Having scored close to 3000 runs in the shortest format, Short is someone Naseem is relieved to not bowl to in the PSL.

"What can I say? I'm just glad we won't have to bowl to him [Short]! He has the ability to dismantle any attack in no time. He's as destructive as they come, and I think he'll absolutely love playing at our home ground in Rawalpindi," Naseem concluded.

Apart from Short and Meredith, Islamabad United's foreign signings include Australia's Ben Dwarshius, New Zealand's Colin Munro, West Indies' Jason Holder, USA's Andries Gous, England's Sam Billings and South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen. Here is the complete squad of Islamabad United:

Islamabad United 2025 Squad

Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Matthew Short, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Ben Dwarshuis, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Andries Gous, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Irshad, Hunain Shah, Saad Masood, Rassie van der Dussen, Riley Meredith, Sam Billings.