Tag: David Warner

David Warner has raised concerns over the absence of Karachi Kings players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Team of the Tournament, following the official announcement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The governing body unveiled a 12-player lineup on Monday, with Babar Azam named captain after leading Peshawar Zalmi to the title with a standout season both as a batter and leader.

The selected squad included three players each from Zalmi and runners-up Hyderabad Kingsmen, while Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United had two representatives each.

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Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators secured one spot apiece.

However, the complete omission of players from Karachi Kings and Rawalpindiz drew attention, particularly from the Kings’ captain, David Warner, who reacted to the announcement on social media.

Commenting on the league’s official post, the former Australian opener questioned the selection, writing: “Where is Karachi players.”

Notably, Warner himself enjoyed a productive campaign, finishing as Karachi’s leading run-scorer with 256 runs in seven matches at an impressive strike-rate of 147.97, including three half-centuries.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Hasan Ali was among the standout performers with the ball, claiming 15 wickets in nine appearances and featuring among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.

The Team of the Tournament was finalised by a five-member panel comprising members of the commentary group, who also selected an Emerging Team to recognise rising talent from the competition.

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LAHORE: Hunain Shah delivered an exceptional over under pressure to seal an emphatic win for Hyderabad Kingsmen, helping them qualify for the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Hyderabad sealed a close win over Islamabad United in the Eliminator 2 under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 187 in this high-pressure PSL 2026 knockout, Islamabad United stumbled early, losing Sameer Minhas (6) and Mohsin Riaz (5) inside three overs.

Devon Conway (30) and Shadab Khan (22) attempted to rebuild, but regular wickets kept the chase in check. Mark Chapman then led the fightback with a quickfire 43 off 26 balls, while Haider Ali added 31 off 16 deliveries in a crucial 64-run partnership.

Despite Chapman’s dismissal in the 18th over, Islamabad United surged back into contention when Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green smashed 22 runs in the penultimate over, leaving just six required off the final over.

With the match on the line, Hunain Shah produced exceptional death bowling, conceding only three runs to secure a dramatic two-run victory for Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Hunain and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets each, while Akif Javed, Hassan Khan, and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece.

The narrow win confirmed Hyderabad Kingsmen’s place in the PSL 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi, marking a remarkable run for the tournament debutants.

Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne made a crafty 40 off 32 balls before Usman Khan’s quickfire helped Hyderabad Kingsmen finish strongly

Put into bat first, Kingsmen piled up 186-5 in 20 overs.

Kingsmen suffered a big blow in the first over as Maaz Sadaqat was caught off a short bouncer from Richard Gleeson without scoring.

With the scoreboard reading 1-1, out of form Saim Ayub arrived at the crease. He formed a vital partnership with skipper Marnus Labuschagne to steady the innings.

Both batters pounced on anything loose, finishing the powerplay strongly on 54-1.

After the fielding restrictions were lifted, United spinners — Shadab Khan and Chris Green squeezed the runs flow with a couple of tight overs. The pressure resulted in Saim’s wicket, who batted well, scoring 38 off 27 balls, hitting seven fours.

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It was Imad Wasim’s 11th over that put Kingsmen on the back foot as the veteran spinner struck twice in an over. The left-armer first got set batter Labuschagne (39 off 32 balls) and then the big scalp of Glenn Maxwell (3).

As a result, they were reduced to 85-4 in 11.4 overs.

With momentum slipping, Usman Khan and Sri Lankan batter Kusal Perera orchestrated a dramatic turnaround. The pair added an unbroken 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket, lifting Hyderabad Kingsmen to a formidable total in this Pakistan Super League 2025 Eliminator.

Usman Khan led the charge with a fluent 61 not out off just 30 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, while Perera provided strong support with 37 off 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Their counter-attacking stand ensured the Kingsmen finished strongly after a mid-innings wobble.

For Islamabad United, Imad Wasim was the standout bowler, returning economical figures of 2/16 in his two overs. Gleeson, Faheem Ashraf, and Chris Green claimed one wicket each but were unable to prevent the late surge.

READ: Salman Naseer provides update on PSL 11 closing ceremony

Karachi Kings captain David Warner has responded firmly to a fan suggestion that he should return to the Indian Premier League (IPL), following his side’s exit from Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Warner, who took to Instagram after Karachi Kings’ campaign came to an end, reflected on the franchise’s performance and praised the squad for their effort despite an inconsistent season.

He highlighted the “passion, resilience, and attitude” shown by the team throughout the tournament, noting that the challenges of franchise cricket often go beyond what is visible on the field.

“Not the result we were hoping for, but the passion, resilience, and attitude shown by this group were incredible. Unless you’ve been part of a franchise team or environment, it’s hard to truly understand the level of commitment and dedication involved,” he posted.

The former Australian opener also expressed gratitude to fans for their continued support, while acknowledging the organisers for their hospitality during the season.

“Wishing the very best to everyone moving forward. To our fans, thank you, as always, for your unwavering support,” he added.

 

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He further appreciated the role of security personnel and law enforcement agencies in ensuring smooth conduct of the tournament amid crowd and logistical challenges.

“Appreciation to the security and police for taking care of us, and to everyone for your patience during the traffic delays. Hopefully, we’ll see you all at the stadium again soon,” he further stated.

In a lighter moment in his post, Warner suggested that future editions of the league could include more recreational activities such as padel or golf, while expressing hope for stronger crowd turnout in upcoming seasons.

However, his post drew attention after a social media user advised him to quit the PSL and return to the Indian Premier League, suggesting it would be a better fit for him.

“It’s better for you to quit PSL and return back in IPL,” the fan commented.

David Warner responded briefly but firmly, shutting down the speculation with a straightforward reply: “No need for that now.”

Karachi Kings, the champions of the 2020 edition, were eliminated from PSL 11 following Lahore Qalandars’ victory over Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday.

However, the Qalandars were also eliminated the next day when the Hyderabad Kings defeated Rawalpindi by 108 runs, surpassing the Qalandars with a superior net run rate.

READ: PCB rolls out public transport, traffic plan for PSL 11 Qualifier in Karachi

KARACHI: David Warner has termed the Karachi Kings’ crushing defeat to Peshawar Zalmi as a potential turning point, suggesting that such setbacks can help revive the squad’s energy during a long tournament.

The Karachi Kings suffered a humbling 159-run loss in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at the National Bank Stadium, after conceding a record 246 for 3 and then being bowled out for just 87 in reply.

Reflecting on the defeat, Warner admitted that his side failed to execute their plans, particularly during the middle phase of the innings when the game slipped away.

“I think our decision to bowl first was what we wanted to do and intended to do. But when you allow two stroke-makers time to settle and hit boundaries consistently every over, it becomes really difficult to pull things back,” Warner said after the match.

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The Kings’ captain pointed out that the contest was still evenly poised at one stage before a costly passage of play shifted momentum decisively in Zalmi’s favour.

“I thought at the 10-over mark we were still in the game, but in the next three overs they scored around 50-60 runs, which is unacceptable at this level,” he added.

David Warner also acknowledged that despite a promising start with the ball, his side failed to maintain pressure, allowing the opposition to fully capitalise.

“In the first six overs, you’ve got to try and stay positive. A couple of good balls led to wickets, and there was also some good fielding in the outfield. But credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board,” he noted.

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Chasing a daunting target, Karachi never looked in contention, eventually collapsing for their lowest total in PSL history. Warner admitted the scale of the target made the chase increasingly difficult.

“Credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board. It was always going to be a tough chase,” he said.

Despite the heavy defeat, their first of the campaign, Warner remained optimistic, insisting that such results can sometimes serve as a catalyst for improvement.

“In tournaments like these, sometimes you need a loss like this to bring the energy back into the group,” he remarked.

“When you’ve had six or seven days off, it can take a bit of time to get back into rhythm. But the boys are in good spirits, we’ve got a great group, and we will take the positives. We will enjoy tomorrow off and come back stronger.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rewrite record books in PSL win over Karachi Kings

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner has brushed aside speculation of a rift with teammate Moeen Ali after a viral clip during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Rawalpindiz triggered debate on social media.

The video, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), showed an animated Warner walking towards Moeen before Karachi’s team director Haider Azhar intervened and led the Australian opener away. The brief exchange was quickly interpreted by fans as a sign of tension within the Kings’ dressing room.

“BIG FIGHT BETWEEN DAVID WARNER & MOEEN ALI. During the match session, a heated argument broke out between Moeen Ali and David Warner,” the video caption stated.

However, Warner moved swiftly to shut down the rumours, clarifying that the moment had been taken out of context.

“Calm down, mate. You have zero context. Our manager always wants to shake hands first. Has nothing to do with Mo – it’s called team banter,” Warner responded to the above-mentioned video.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 calm down mate. You have zero context. The 🤡 our manager always wants to shake hands first . Has nothing to do with Mo 🤣🤣 it’s called team banter

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 3, 2026

Azhar also backed the skipper’s version, dismissing the claims of any disagreement and insisting the moment was light-hearted.

“Not true! Both of them were making fun of me!” he added.

The off-field chatter, meanwhile, did little to overshadow Karachi’s strong showing on the field.

Warner led from the front with a composed 50, while Azam Khan produced a blistering 74 as the Kings chased down a daunting 198-run target to secure a five-wicket victory.

The duo’s crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket proved decisive, guiding Karachi to their third consecutive win in the tournament.

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LAHORE: Blistering half-centuries from David Warner and Azam Khan propelled Karachi Kings to a hard-fought five-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging 198-run target, the Kings crossed the finish line with four balls to spare, registering their third consecutive win in the tournament.

The run chase saw an early setback when Muhammad Waseem departed for 23 in the third over with 27 runs on the board.

However, Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings alongside Warner, adding a crucial 43-run stand before falling for 29.

The turning point came when Azam joined Warner in the middle, as the duo stitched a decisive 76-run partnership for the third wicket, shifting the momentum firmly in Karachi’s favour.

Warner played an anchoring yet fluent knock of 50 off 36 deliveries, laced with six fours and a six, before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell in the 16th over.

Azam, meanwhile, took charge with an aggressive approach, smashing 74 off just 34 balls, including six fours and six towering sixes. His innings brought the Kings within touching distance before he fell to Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over.

With the equation down to the final over, Abbas Afridi sealed the win in emphatic fashion, launching a six early in the over to take Karachi Kings home.

Earlier, Rawalpindiz posted a competitive 197-6 after being put into bat, recovering strongly from early setbacks.

Hasan Ali struck early to remove skipper Mohammad Rizwan (21), while Khushdil Shah dented the top order further by dismissing Yasir Khan (8) and Kamran Ghulam (10), reducing them to 55-3.

The innings was then revived by a superb 120-run partnership between Mitchell and Sam Billings, both of whom registered half-centuries. Billings scored 58 off 35 deliveries, while Mitchell top-scored with 65 off 41 balls.

Hasan eventually broke the stand in the death overs, finishing as the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Khushdil claimed two and Mir Hamza chipped in with one.

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LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner praised his side’s resilience after they secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Warner admitted the win did not come easily but highlighted the importance of grinding out results in tight contests.

“We did it the hard way. As you just said, Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled absolutely outstanding. A great spell, four wickets. But look, it was a bit tighter than I would like. But it’s good to have two wins from two,” Warner said.

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Reflecting on the high-intensity contest between the two rivals, Warner described it as a perfect showcase for the tournament.

“It’s a great game for the tournament, actually, Lahore versus Karachi on a Sunday night. We absolutely loved it,” he stated.

The Karachi Kings skipper also credited his bowling unit for setting up the victory, particularly highlighting the combined effort of the spin and pace departments.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“Our spinners bowled fantastically in tandem. And I think [pacers] [Mir] Hamza and Hasan [Ali] were fantastic as well. Us squeezing in the middle and bowling in partnerships, which is really helping us at the moment. I think the spinners are licking their lips,” he said.

David Warner also acknowledged the challenges posed by varying conditions across venues, while appreciating the efforts behind pitch preparation.

“As batsmen, you can take a few balls to adjust and adapt. It is what it is; it’s the nature of the beast when you’re playing at two venues. Credit to the curators for preparing surfaces like this and for us to come out and play,” Warner said.

READ: Shaheen Afridi comments on five-run penalty over altering ball condition

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner expressed confidence in his side’s preparations and squad strength ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, vowing to build on last season’s performance and push beyond the playoffs.

Speaking at the pre-tournament captains’ press conference in Lahore, Warner highlighted the importance of continuity while also welcoming the new additions to the squad.

“It’s always great to have players like Adam Zampa and Salman Ali Agha in our group,” Warner said. “For us, it’s about trying to replicate what we did well last year and then improve on areas where we fell short. Hopefully, we can do better this season and go beyond the playoffs.”

Warner also expressed satisfaction with the squad assembled during the player auction, backing his side to compete strongly in the expanded eight-team tournament.

“We’ve got a really good group of players, and I think we did a great job at the auction. We’re ready to compete against the best teams,” he added with a smile.

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Karachi Kings had an encouraging campaign in PSL 10, where Warner led from the front with the bat, scoring 368 runs in 11 innings at an average of 33.45 and an impressive strike rate of 153.97.

Addressing questions about his fitness at the age of 39, Warner dismissed any concerns, underlining his commitment to maintaining peak physical condition.

“Look, at 39, I’m extremely fit—probably fitter than most people my age playing this game,” he said. “It’s all about maintaining a healthy diet, training hard, and putting in the work on the field. Hopefully, I can score good runs again and put the team in strong positions.”

With a balanced squad and renewed intent, Karachi Kings will be aiming to make a deeper run in PSL 11 under Warner’s leadership.

READ: Mir Hamza backs David Warner’s leadership as Karachi Kings gear up for PSL 11

Karachi Kings have retained Australian legendary batter David Warner as captain for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, set to begin on March 26. 

The announcement was made via the franchise’s social media handle, accompanied by an animated graphic.

“The leader, the legend, the King, David Warner returns as captain, ready to take the #KingsSquad to new heights in the upcoming season of the #HBLPSL,” the caption of the post read.

Warner’s retention as captain underscores the franchise’s confidence in his vision and ability to inspire the squad both on and off the field.

After taking the helm in HBL PSL 10, Warner’s second consecutive term as captain aims to turn last season’s momentum into a championship run.

 

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Last year, Warner made his debut in the PSL, amassing 368 runs in 11 matches, including three half-centuries at a strike rate of 153.97.

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Earlier today, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the complete schedule of PSL 11.

This will be the first time eight teams will feature in the tournament since its inaugural edition in 2016.

The tournament will begin on March 26, with the opening match scheduled between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The 2020 champions, Karachi Kings, will begin their campaign against Quetta Gladiators on March 27 in Lahore.

Overall, 44 matches will be played across the tournament, including the final, which will also have a reserve day.

READ: PSL 11 to commence from March 26 as PCB unveils schedule