Pavan Rathnayake Named as Dipendra Singh Replacement for Islamabad United in PSL 11

KARACHI: Islamabad United have signed Sri Lankan batter Pavan Rathnayake as a replacement for Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee for the remainder of PSL 11, the franchise confirmed on Saturday.

Airee, who joined the side during the players’ auction earlier this year, will miss the rest of the tournament due to international commitments with Nepal. Under tournament regulations, he will receive a reduced portion of his contract, with the remaining amount reassigned to his replacement.

Rathnayake, 23, is set to make his first appearance in the Pakistan Super League. The right-hander has featured in Sri Lanka’s T20I setup and has also gained experience in the Lanka Premier League, where he developed a reputation for aggressive middle-order batting.

Squad Investment and Salary Structure

Islamabad United have also outlined their financial commitments for the ongoing season. The franchise has utilised nearly its entire salary purse, indicating a heavily loaded squad assembled for PSL 11.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf remains the highest-paid player in the squad. Captain Shadab Khan and New Zealand batter Mark Chapman are among the other top earners, while Devon Conway also features prominently in the wage structure.

The financial breakdown reflects the franchise’s intent to build depth across departments, with a strong mix of local and overseas players.

Position in PSL 11 Standings

On the field, Islamabad United have made a solid start to their campaign. They currently sit second on the PSL 11 points table, with four wins and two losses from seven matches, along with one no-result. The side has accumulated nine points and maintains a healthy net run rate.

With the addition of Rathnayake and a settled core group, the team will look to maintain momentum as the tournament moves into its latter stages.