Photo Credit: Islamabad United
Islamabad United, the most successful franchise in HBL PSL history, and the winner of the first and third editions of the tournament, is pleased to reveal the franchise’s much awaited kit for the seventh edition of the PSL.
The announcement comes right after the franchise announced its first cricket x art collaboration with iconic Pakistani artist, Imran Qureshi. The Season-7 design is inspired by the iconic LION logo of the team and complemented by the art of Imran Qureshi as part of the AANideasLAB: IQ X IU project.
IQ X IU is a testament of Islamabad United’s commitment of bringing new ideas and concepts to cricket in Pakistan, and this collaboration is a continuation of that process.
“The reveal of Season 7 kit is a continuation of our landmark collaboration with artist Imran Qureshi. The overall kit is inspired by ISLU’s lion with sharp lines representing the team’s unmistakable spirit to play with pride, passion & perseverance”, said Ali Naqvi, owner of Islamabad United. “The iconic IU LION crest, with two stars for the PSL victories, is a reaffirmation that the team will play each game in absolute team spirit like a pride of lions. The overlay of Imran Qureshi’s art depicts the team’s fearless spirit of exploring new frontiers, as well as the fluidity, flow, and energy which IU team brings to the game and its fans, on and off the playing pitch. I am personally looking forward to this kit kindling curiosity and anticipation among the cricket lovers and art fans alike”, he further said.
Regarding the kit design Imran Qureshi said, “Blue water-like paint splashes applied in action-painting style, through an act of playing cricket with a paint-soaked ball on canvas, transferred the energy of cricket into a powerful visual in a very spontaneous and organic manner. It was like mapping the movements of a batter and a bowler on a surface. Mughal miniature-painting derived foliate patterns were combined with these abstract action-painting marks depicting life, peace and harmony.”
“This was a totally new experience for me”, said Shadab Khan. “Watching Imran work was like nothing I have seen before. IU under Ali Naqvi is always coming up with new ideas and ways to enhance the things Islamabad United do. The franchise has always taken pride in doing things in a different and new way, and I am proud to lead such a franchise.”
Asif Ali, who was also involved in the project, commented, “This was something I had never even thought about before. It was a lot of fun experiencing of something new. I have never seen something like this before in my life, let alone being part of such a thing. To see something from the very beginning to the final product, has been a real experience for me. I am a fan of how the Islamabad United kit looks this year, and especially because I know how much effort has gone into it. Usually these aren’t things we cricketers concern ourselves with but seeing this up close was a really great experience for me. I loved working with Imran Qureshi on this project.”
View the kit video here.
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Islamabad United is the most successful team of the Pakistan Super League (PSL); winner of the first and third seasons of the HBL PSL, in addition to having the highest win percentage in the tournament’s history. The franchise believes in bringing change to Pakistani sports with the introduction of international standards of practice and a commitment to continuous progress.
AAN – Leonine Sports is the proud owner of Islamabad United, the FIRST CHAMPIONS and the most successful team in the Pakistan Super League. AAN-Leonine Sports is focused on enabling sports and creating franchises with a mission to
provide: 1) A truly global experience on sports entertainment; 2) A fan base which is loyal, aware and supportive of the sport and the franchise; 3) An aspirational beacon for up and coming players to strive for excellence in cricket for Pakistan in particular and for the world at large; 4) An eco-system for the promotion of sports through close partnerships with the respective sports boards; 5) A truly professionally-run organization with exceptional standards of corporate governance and international best practices; 6) Promotion of Pakistan through sports and involvement of internationally known figures into Pakistan; 7) A responsible member on CSR.
The company focuses on the above mission statement by implementing a strategy built around the principle of 4 Es – Excellence, Empowerment, Education and Environment.
AAN Ideas LAB is an initiative under the AAN Foundation which provides support to a wide range of art forms and encourages discourse on visual arts in particular. This includes offering platforms & support for exhibitions, private as well as public art projects, publications and art related initiatives.
