Swashbuckling New Zealand Opener Martin Guptill has been signed by Islamabad United for the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 season. The Kiwi has been roped in by the franchise as a replacement for UAE’s Muhammad Waseem, who’ll not be available for the majority of the event due to national duty.
Waseem was in fine touch during the recently concluded International League T20 (ILT20) 2024. Following his success, Islamabad signed him for PSL 2024 midway through ILT20. However, with the UAE scheduled to play in the World Cup League 2 with Canada and Scotland, the franchise has decided to bring in Martin Guptill.
Guptill was part of the PSL in the last season as well. The opener had done well for the Quetta Gladiators but wasn’t retained by the franchise, despite scoring 310 runs at 38.75 and striking the ball at 150.48 in nine matches.
Over the last couple of years, Martin Guptill has become a franchise player. After being released from the central contract by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in 2022, Guptill has been playing in T20 leagues all over the world and, similar to Waseem, was part of the ILT20 2024 as well.