Quetta Gladiators’ prized pacer, Naseem Shah, has made a surprising move to Islamabad United in a high-profile swap deal for the upcoming Pakistan Super League season nine (PSL 9).

The swap agreement officially concluded between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators, resulted in the transfer of Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Jr from Islamabad’s roster.

📣📣

Are YOU charged 🔋 for the most awaited trade of the season!?!? 🔥🔥

Naseem Shah moves to 🔁 Islamabad United

Abrar Ahmed moves to 🔁 Quetta Gladiators

Mohammad Wasim Jr moves to 🔁 Quetta Gladiators #HBLPSLDraft #HBLPSL9 @iNaseemShah @IsbUnited @TeamQuetta pic.twitter.com/IGZFDCt0WL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 2, 2023

✍🏻 SIGNING ALERT ✍🏻

Mystery spinner #AbrarAhmed & bowling all-rounder @Wasim_Jnr joins the Gladiators family!

🫂 Quetta Gladiators bid farewell to 🌟 pace sensation @iNaseemShah as he moves to Islamabad United !#PurpleForce #HBLPSL9 #HBLPSLDRAFT pic.twitter.com/KktjAlQ1R4

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) December 2, 2023

The right-arm pacer shared his enthusiasm on the social media platform ‘X’ by posting a photo with a caption stated, “The next destination is Islamabad.”

The next destination is Islamabad! #UnitedWeWin #HBLPSLDraft #HBLPSL9 @IsbUnited pic.twitter.com/u65a8uCYZs

— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) December 2, 2023

Previously, PSL 5 winning captain Imad Wasim also joined Islamabad United colours in the ninth edition of the tournament.

Imad, who was named as the All-Rounder of HBL PSL 8, has been snapped by Islamabad United in the Platinum category while Hasan Ali (Diamond category) moves to Karachi Kings. By virtue of this player trade, Karachi Kings have received Islamabad United’s first-round silver pick in exchange for their second-round silver pick.

Iftikhar Ahmed also became a member of Multan Sultans through a significant swap arrangement involving Rilee Rossouw.

Having previously played for Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United, Iftikhar is poised to join the Sultans next year, making history as the first player to be affiliated with five distinct teams in the league.

As a result of this historic trade, Multan has also secured the first platinum pick in the PSL 9 Draft, scheduled for December 13 in Lahore.

Meanwhile, Rossouw has reunited with Quetta, the team with which he secured victory in the PSL trophy back in 2019.