David Warner Archives

David Warner takes a dig at Shaheen Afridi after Karachi Kings’ thrilling victory

Karachi Kings skipper David Warner took a dig at Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi after his side edged their arch-rivals in a rain-hit PSL 10 thriller at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.

While he was all praise for his team’s effort in the four-wicket win, the Australian couldn’t resist taking a cheeky dig at Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s pitch assessment.

Lahore Qalandars, in a shortened 15-over contest, posted a strong 160/8, a total powered by blistering half-centuries from openers Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman.

Naeem led the charge with a fiery 65 off 29 deliveries, smashing six fours and five sixes, while Fakhar chipped in with a 33-ball 51 featuring four boundaries and three maximums.

In response, Karachi Kings chased down a revised 168-run target with three balls to spare, thanks to a breathtaking unbeaten 48 off 21 balls from Irfan Khan Niazi.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

But what caught the attention after the match was Warner’s pointed response to Afridi’s pre-match pitch prediction.

“Shaheen said it was going to turn, but not one ball has turned here in three games,” Warner said with a grin. “I was baffled by those comments.”

While Lahore went in with a spin-heavy attack, David Warner backed his decision to stick with four pacers.

“I stuck with it [pace attack]. You’ve just got to back yourself. Our bowlers have been fantastic, they’ve been taking wickets, and right now there’s probably no room for an extra spinner,” he explained.

The subtle jab came after Afridi had earlier remarked that the surface would assist spinners, something that clearly didn’t unfold as expected, especially after the rain altered the conditions.

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Despite the banter, Warner had glowing praise for his players, especially Irfan Khan, who turned the match on its head with his fearless batting.

“It was an amazing victory. First, I want to talk about the bowlers, they did a great job of restricting them to 160,” Warner said.

“And then obviously it was a brilliant effort by [Irfan Khan] Niazi. We stuck with him and spoke to him about having that hunger and desire, and today, the way he played was the cream on the top.”

With back-to-back wins under their belt, Karachi Kings are now eyeing a top-two finish as they head to Rawalpindi for their final group matches against Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United on May 8 and 10.

“We’ve pulled off a miracle today,” David Warner said. “Momentum is with us. Now the goal is to carry it into Rawalpindi and finish strong.”

READ: Shaheen Afridi remains unfazed after thrilling loss against Karachi Kings

David Warner reflects on narrow loss against Quetta Gladiators

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner called for self-reflection and a return to positive cricket following his side’s narrow five-run defeat to Quetta Gladiators in their PSL 10 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday night.

Chasing 143 for victory, the Kings fell short, managing 137/8 in their 20 overs, despite promising starts from Tim Seifert and James Vince. The result marked another missed opportunity for Karachi, who remain in a tight battle for playoff qualification.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Warner struck a balance between disappointment and perspective.

“Look, I think we have to take the positives out of this. I couldn’t be more proud of our bowlers—they gave it their all. But truth be told, we just weren’t good enough tonight,” Warner stated.

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Karachi’s bowlers had earlier bundled Quetta Gladiators for a modest 142, but the batting unit faltered in the chase. Warner himself fell early, dismissed for four by Mohammad Amir in the opening over, setting the tone for a stuttering batting performance.

The former Australian captain did not mince words when assessing the batting effort.

“We lacked intent with the bat. It wasn’t about their bowling; we were just too complacent. The pitch was fantastic—141 doesn’t reflect the surface at all. A score of 180 would’ve been par,” he said.

Despite a solid second-wicket partnership between Seifert (47 off 26) and Vince (30 off 29), the Kings lost momentum in the middle overs.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

A collapse saw Karachi Kings lose key wickets to Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Abrar Ahmed, while the likes of Shan Masood and Khushdil Shah failed to anchor the innings under pressure.

Still, David Warner insisted that Karachi Kings need to focus on their approach, especially with key games ahead.

“Right now, it’s about assessing where we stand. When we’ve won, it’s because we’ve been positive and fearless. Tonight, we missed that mark,” Warner concluded.

READ: Fawad Ali Expresses Gratitude After Claiming First PSL Wicket

“Need to play our best game”: David Warner reflects on defeat against Islamabad United

Karachi Kings’ captain, David Warner, emphasised the importance of the team performing at its best in order to recover from their six-wicket loss to Islamabad United during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 match at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking after the match, Warner admitted the side didn’t quite hit their stride, particularly with the bat.

“It was always going to be difficult; losing the toss doesn’t help,” he said. “We need to try and get into positions where we can post a good score. It was a bit up and down—we were probably 20 runs short of a competitive total.”

Karachi Kings posted 128-7 after being sent in to bat, with Tim Seifert top-scoring with 30 (37), while Mohammad Abbas Afridi added late impetus with a 9-ball 24*.

But with United’s bowlers firing on all cylinders, Naseem Shah, Jason Holder, and Shadab Khan picking up two wickets each, it proved insufficient.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

David Warner, who fell early to a peach from Naseem Shah, pointed out the difficulty of reading the surface.

“We play on the same wicket on Monday, so we know how it’s going to behave. We need to assess how we go about our batting,” he added. “We need to work out how we’re going to hit boundaries and how we approach the first six overs.”

While Warner acknowledged his own eye-catching catch, running back to dismiss in-form Sahibzada Farhan, he downplayed the effort with trademark humility: “It went up and I did what I know, ran back and kept my eyes on it. It was a fluke at the end of the day.”

Among the few positives for the Kings was the continued impact of Hasan Ali, who removed both Sahibzada Farhan and Colin Munro in a fiery fifth over.

“His experience is great—he spearheads our attack,” Warner said. “It’s great to have his class and calibre. He’s in good rhythm, and hopefully he can continue and find more success.”

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Karachi Kings were initially considered to have a home advantage with five straight matches in Karachi, but Warner hinted that the narrative may not be holding up.

“We were told having five games here was an advantage, but you can see now that it isn’t,” he added. “The dew has been inconsistent—it’s hard to tell what’s going to happen. For us, it’s just about playing good cricket.”

With a short turnaround before facing Peshawar Zalmi on Monday night, Warner was clear about the team’s focus.

“We just need to play our best game. We need to focus on our powerplay batting and building partnerships.”

The Kings will be eager to bounce back and keep their campaign alive as they return to the field today.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan eyes national recall with strong PSL 10 performances

‘We came with clear plans’: David Warner reflects on Karachi Kings’ victory over Quetta Gladiators

Karachi Kings captain David Warner on Friday reflected on the team’s strategy after an emphatic win over Quetta Gladiators in the eighth match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at the National Bank Stadium.

Chasing a challenging target of 176, Quetta Gladiators were restricted to 119 for the 9 in their 20 overs.

The Gladiators never looked comfortable during the chase, losing wickets at regular intervals. Karachi Kings’ bowlers wreaked havoc early on, picking up wickets in the powerplay.

Quetta Gladiators lost their opener, Finn Allen (6), in the very first over. After an early wicket, hopes were pinned on emerging batter Hasan Nawaz to steady the innings. However, he was dismissed off Hasan Ali’s bowling, thanks to a spectacular catch by Khushdil Shah.

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Quetta Gladiators were eventually reeling on 37-5 in 5.5 overs, as their batting line proved to be a house of cards. Kusal Mendis (12), Khawaja Nafay (1)—playing his first match of the season, failed to make an impact.

Furthermore, the experienced Rilee Rossouw could not rise to the occasion as he was dismissed for a mere one run. Saud Shakeel remained firm at one end; however; his efforts were not enough to bring his team closer to the target.

For Karachi Kings, Hasan Ali emerged as the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 27 runs in his four overs.

While speaking during the post-match presentation, David Warner emphasized the Kings’ brilliant start, lauding the roles of James Vince and Mohammad Nabi.

“I was happy with 175. We got a good start, then had a few hiccups, but Vince batted calmly and contributed well. We bat deep, and that’s a big positive. We brought in Nabi for a specific role, and he delivered perfectly, ” he explained.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The left-handed batter revealed the Kings’ strategy, stressing the early wickets in the powerplay.

“While defending the target, the focus was on picking early wickets in the powerplay.

It felt great to bat first today. There was no dew, and the ball was gripping off the surface. We’ve played three games here, each on a different wicket,” he said.

“Our home advantage is definitely the ground dimensions. We came in with clear plans and I’m glad we executed them well, ” he concluded.

READ: PSL 10: Vince, bowlers shine as Karachi Kings crush Quetta Gladiators

Karachi Kings captain Warner eyes winning start in PSL 10

KARACHI: Karachi Kings captain David Warner expressed his goal to start the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 with a win against the Multan Sultans.

Warner stated that the Karachi Kings are packed with quality players, and their goal is to move forward step by step, starting with a win against Multan.

“Our immediate focus is to win the opening game. The team is shaping up well, and we’ve had productive training sessions despite the warm weather,” Warner said while addressing the media on Friday.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

He mentioned that the conditions at the National Stadium, especially the grassy wicket, reminded him of Australian pitches. “The surface here gives us something familiar to work with,” he added.

David Warner also shed light on the reason for his absence from the official pre-tournament press conference featuring captains of all six teams.

“I preferred spending that time working with the boys on the ground,” he explained.

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He emphasized the team’s approach to playing positive and competitive cricket while keeping the dressing room environment relaxed and enjoyable.

“The vibe within the group is fantastic. We want to enjoy the tournament while staying focused on our goals,” Warner shared. “We’ll continue to adjust our playing XI based on match conditions and pitch behavior.”

Karachi Kings will be aiming for a strong start as they go up against a well-balanced Multan Sultans side in what promises to be a high-octane clash on Saturday.

READ: Shaun Tait banking on experience in Karachi Kings’ pace attack

David Warner’s absence from PSL 10 captains’ conference explained

The captains’ conference for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 saw five out of six franchise skippers in attendance, with Karachi Kings’ David Warner being the notable absentee.

Multan Sultans’ Mohammad Rizwan, Lahore Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi, Peshawar Zalmi’s Babar Azam, Islamabad United’s Shadab Khan, and Quetta Gladiators’ Saud Shakeel represented their respective teams at the official media gathering.

In Warner’s absence, the Karachi Kings were represented by their newly appointed vice-captain Hasan Ali.

As for why Warner didn’t show up, the Australian star voluntarily chose to skip the media event to attend an intra-squad practice match instead.

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With the previous day’s training session having been called off, Warner preferred to utilise the available window to assess his squad closely ahead of the season opener.

It’s worth noting that PSL 10 will begin on Friday, April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on Lahore Qalandars in the tournament opener at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Meanwhile, Karachi Kings will begin their campaign the following day, on April 12, with a home fixture against Multan Sultans at the National Bank Stadium.

Karachi Kings squad for PSL 10

David Warner (captain), Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Litton Das, Mir Hamza, Fawad Ali, Riazullah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, and Mirza Mamoon.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed breaks silence on retirement rumours

David Warner joins Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 10

KARACHI: The newly appointed captain of the Karachi Kings, David Warner, has touched down in the city ahead of the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, which gets underway on April 11.

The Australian veteran landed in Karachi on Wednesday and linked up with his new franchise at the team hotel. This marks Warner’s debut appearance in the PSL — a league that had long awaited his explosive presence.

Warner, who was the Kings’ first pick in the Platinum category during the PSL 10 Draft, is set to lead the side this season. Renowned for his aggressive batting at the top of the order, the 37-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience and firepower.

The left-hander has represented Australia in 110 T20 Internationals, racking up 3,277 runs at a healthy strike rate. His international T20 career includes one century and 28 half-centuries — a testament to his consistency and match-winning ability.

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His extensive franchise experience further boosts Warner’s T20 credentials. Over the years, he has featured in the IPL, BBL, ILT20, BPL, and CPL, becoming one of the most sought-after T20 players globally.

Karachi Kings will hold a training session at 5 PM today at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre as they prepare for their opening clash of the season.

It’s worth noting that PSL 10 will begin on Friday, April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on Lahore Qalandars in the tournament opener at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Meanwhile, Karachi Kings will begin their campaign the following day, on April 12, with a home fixture against Multan Sultans at the National Bank Stadium.

Karachi Kings squad for PSL 10

READ: Shadab Khan rejects claims of Saqlain Mushtaq’s influence on his career

David Warner appointed as Karachi Kings’ captain for PSL 10

Former Australian opener David Warner has been appointed as the captain of Karachi Kings for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.

The left-hander, known for his explosive batting and fearless approach, brings a wealth of leadership experience and a reputation for winning big games.

The experienced Warner, a winner of both the ODI and T20 World Cups, is regarded as one of the most dangerous T20 openers and has captained several major cricket leagues over the past decade, including the Big Bash League (BBL).

Karachi Kings selected Warner as their first pick in the Platinum category during the PSL 10 Players Draft, which took place on January 13, 2025, at the historic Hazoori Bagh in Lahore.

Karachi Kings management expressed heartfelt gratitude to last season’s captain, Shan Masood, for his invaluable contributions in leading the team in a new direction.

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Shan Masood’s strategic leadership in PSL 9 laid a strong foundation for Karachi Kings, fostering a remarkable blend of young and experienced players. The franchise appreciated his professionalism, tactical understanding, and efforts to create team harmony.

Karachi Kings’ owner, Salman Iqbal, stated: “We warmly welcome David Warner to the Karachi Kings family as our captain. His leadership and match-winning performances align perfectly with our team’s vision.”

“At the same time, we sincerely appreciate Shan Masood’s exceptional captaincy last season. His efforts have built a strong foundation for Karachi Kings, and we are delighted that he remains an integral part of the team.”

Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 is set to begin on Friday, April 11, 2025, while Karachi Kings will play their opening match on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at their home ground, National Bank Stadium, Karachi, against Multan Sultans.

READ: Tamim Iqbal suffers heart attack during DPL match

David Warner signs up for PSL 10 player draft

Former Australian opening batter David Warner has registered for the highly-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 Player Draft on Tuesday.

The player draft for the tenth season of the PSL will take place in the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan on Saturday, 11 January 2025. The start timing of the event will be shared in due course.

Warner’s registration for the upcoming season was confirmed through a banner post on the PSL’s social media accounts, which was captioned “ENDING 2024 ON A HIGH. The Aussie powerhouse David Warner has registered for the PSL Draft.”

David Warner has made a name for himself as one of the most explosive top-order batters across all formats. He has represented Australia in 110 T20Is and has amassed 3277 with one century and 28 fifties.

Warner is currently captaining Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) and was declared player of the match in their last game against Melbourne Renegades for his 86-run knock from 57 balls.

Notably, Warner is the 23rd foreign player and fourth Australian player to register for the PSL 10 Player Draft so far.

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Prior to him his fellow opener Usman Khawaja, wicket-keeper Alex Carey and pacer Sean Abbott have registered for the upcoming season of the league.

Other than them, a host of international stars have officially signed up for the eagerly awaited draft, including Colin Munro, Daryl Mitchell, Martin Guptill, Tim Southee, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosh, Rilee Rossouw, Matthew Short, Gudakesh Motie, Alex Hales, Luke Wood, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Curran, David Willey, Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Sikandar Raza.

READ: Former pacer questions Virat Kohli’s place in Indian team

Nathan McSweeney doesn’t need to play like David Warner: Pat Cummins

Australia captain Pat Cummins on Thursday urged new opener Nathan McSweeney not to try and emulate swashbuckling David Warner, while admitting his team had unfinished business with India.

The uncapped McSweeney will make his Test debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener at Perth Stadium on Friday, parachuted in at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja after Warner’s retirement this year.

He has big shoes to fill and goes into the game having only opened once before at first-class level, in a warm-up Australia A match this month.

Cummins said he must be himself when he fronts a world-class Indian attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah on what is expected to be a fiery pitch.

“Davey [David Warner] is very hard to replace in many ways, but I think the most important thing for someone like Nath [Nathan McSweeney] coming in is to play his own game,” he said. “He doesn’t need to strike at 80 like Davey did if that’s not his game.”

Other than McSweeney, Australia has a settled side which is on a mission to win their first Test series against India in almost a decade.

Only Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith remain from the squad that last won in Australia back in 2014-15.

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Since then they have slumped to four straight Border-Gavaskar series losses, including two at home.

“It’s kind of one of the last things to tick off for a lot of us,” Cummins told reporters of beating their big rival. “Almost every challenge that we’ve had thrown with us over the last few years we’ve stepped up and done well.”

“To do that for another year, another home summer, would kind of cement this.”

While Australia will go into the first of five Tests with their starting XI locked in, India is set for a shake-up after their devastating 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand.

Rohit Sharma will likely miss the match following the birth of his second child, with Bumrah assuming the captaincy.

Number three Shubman Gill is in doubt with an injured thumb, while the bowling line-up behind Bumrah is yet to be decided. Nevertheless, Cummins is under no illusions about the task ahead.

“There will always be pressure when you are playing at home,” he said. “We’re all excited, we know India are right up there with the best teams.”

“They are missing a couple of guys we are more familiar with, but we know that whoever they pick they will obviously think are good enough for Test cricket.”

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