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 announce a unique collaboration of cricket and art together for an experiential project as well as design of the team’s fan gear. Islamabad United has always focussed on bringing new ideas and concepts to cricket in Pakistan, and this collaboration is a continuation of that process.
Under the project, AANideasLAB: IQ X IU, artist Imran Qureshi, renowned internationally and recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz will interact with Islamabad United players, imbibe the history, culture and ethos of Islamabad United, and will conceive and create experiential projects with the franchise. For the first time, cricket players will be interacting and taking part in a visual-art project along with an internationally renowned artist. The project spread over several weeks, will involve documentation of the whole process by acclaimed film directors as well as renowned photographers. The artistic output of the project will be used, as appropriate, in the team’s official kit as well as other ventures.
“Since its inception, Islamabad United has been focused on bringing innovation to the PSL and one of our missions has been to use the huge reach of cricket in introducing socially positive causes to a wider audience”, said Ali Naqvi, owner of Islamabad United.
“I am especially enthused about this idea as it combines two of our passions – cricket and art – together, something not done before anywhere in the world. I have been thinking about this idea for a few years but Covid delayed its execution until this year. The project will help in mainstreaming visual and other arts to cricket fans in Pakistan as well as to a global audience. I am grateful to Imran Qureshi for accepting such a challenge as its inaugural artist and to the Islamabad United players who have shown flexibility for this totally new experience. Like all of you, I am keenly looking forward to seeing what creative forms this project takes”, he further elaborated.
When Ali invited me to make a proposal for this project, it immediately clicked”, said Imran Qureshi. “I have always wanted art to be shared as widely as possible. Cricket provides a perfect platform for that objective. With my contribution I wanted to capture the energy of not only the sport and its players, but also the excitement and passion of the audience, the love for this game”, Imran further added.
Name of Author: Islamabad United
Islamabad United is a Pakistani Twenty20 cricket team competing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Based in Islamabad, the team was established in 2015 for the league’s inaugural season. It is owned by Leonine Global Investments through Leonine Global Sports, run by Amna Naqvi and Ali Naqvi.
