Tag: Karachi Kings

Karachi Kings’ head coach Phil Simmons reaches Lahore for PSL 9 Player Draft

Posted on by shahzad.malik

LAHORE: Phil Simmons, the newly appointed head coach of Karachi Kings, reached Lahore on Wednesday to partake in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 Player Draft.

Karachi Kings, Pakistan’s biggest city’s HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, named Phil Simmons as their head coach for the upcoming HBL PSL 9 on November 11.

The franchise proudly welcomes the esteemed Phil Simmons as their Head Coach, marking a significant step in their ongoing revitalization and restructuring process.

Phil Simmons, renowned for his dual role as a star player and as the triumphant coach of the West Indies during the 2016 T20 World Cup, brings a wealth of experience and strategic prowess to the Karachi Kings’ camp.

During his cricket career, Phil Simmons has scored 4,677 runs and picked up 87 wickets. He had a reputation for being an expert limited-over format player.

Karachi is not an unknown territory to the new head coach of Kings’ as he has played a World Cup 1987 match in the city.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Simmons stated, “Returning to Karachi, a city I hold dear from my playing days, feels like a homecoming. I am thrilled to join forces with Haider Azhar and the rest of the team’s think tank, drawing from the rich cricketing heritage of this country.

“I am thankful to team owner Salman Iqbal, CEO Tariq Wasi, and Karachi Kings management for this opportunity. We are eager to move ahead with our rebuilding and restart process of Karachi Kings and establish this franchise as a match-winning unit.”

Salman Iqbal, the owner of Karachi Kings, extended a warm welcome to Simmons, emphasizing the coach’s invaluable addition to the team.

“We are honored to have Phil Simmons join us as the Head Coach. His remarkable track record as a coach and player speaks volumes about his calibre. We are confident his leadership will drive Karachi Kings to greater heights.”

The Karachi Kings management expresses confidence in this revamped coaching ensemble, aiming to create a formidable team ready to conquer the challenges of the upcoming HBL PSL 9.

READ: Pakistan’s Playing XI for First Test against Australia unveiled

Shan Masood named Karachi Kings’ captain for PSL 9

Posted on by A Sports

LAHORE: Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood has been named the skipper of former Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Karachi Kings for the upcoming PSL 9.

Ahead of the commencement of the much-anticipated PSL 9 Player Draft, the owner of Karachi Kings Mr Salman Iqbal, in a ground-breaking announcement, named Shan Masood as the new captain of Karachi Kings.

“The announcement I want to make is that this year, the captain of Karachi Kings will be Shan Masood,” said Mr Salman Iqbal.

Mr Salman Iqbal then highlighted the leadership experience Masood possesses, having captained his previous PSL franchise Multan Sultans and Yorkshire in the County Championship.

“He is the Test captain of Pakistan and has a lot of captaincy experience, having led Multan Sultans and Yorkshire and of course, he is a Karachi bloke,” Mr Salmna Iqbal added.

 

For the unversed, Shan Masood joined Karachi Kings after a successful trade with Multan Sultans, swapping the Test captain with left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram.

The trade deal saw Multan Sultans getting Faisal Akram as well as Karachi Kings’ first-round pick in the diamond category and the silver category.

Previously, Karachi Kings also traded their then skipper Imad Wasim to Islamabad United for Hasan Ali and received Islamabad United’s first-round silver pick in exchange for their second silver pick.

Meanwhile, the Kings then announced the list of retained players ahead of the Players’ Draft, which features Shan Masood, Tabraiz Shamsi, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Akhlaq and Muhammad Irfan Khan.

READ: Karachi Kings’ head coach Phil Simmons reaches Lahore for PSL 9 Player Draft

Muhammad Irfan Khan ‘upbeat’ for second stint with Karachi Kings

Posted on by A Sports

Young middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan shared his excitement about his second stint with the former Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Karachi Kings.

In a video message, released by the franchise, Muhammad Irfan Khan thanked the owner of Karachi Kings Mr Salman Iqbal and the rest of the management for showing faith in his abilities.

“First of all, I would like to thank Mr Salman Iqbal and Karachi Kings’ management for not only picking me in the players’ draft but also for showing faith in me by retaining me this year,” said Irfan.

Muhammad Irfan Khan then urged Karachi Kings’ fans to keep supporting the team while also sharing that he is upbeat to perform well.

“I request Karachi Kings’ supporters to keep supporting the team, we are excited to perform well this year,” he added.

Earlier, South African wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi also shared a video message for his fans and the franchise supporters and asserted that he will help the 2020 champions lift the silverware again by bringing his best.

“I’m beyond excited to be back for the Kings this year. I know it’s been a bit disappointing that it’s been a while since we won the trophy but I will bring my A-Game and help the team to win this trophy once again,” stated Shamsi.

“It’s gonna be a thrilling season and I can’t wait to see you all soon,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that Tabraiz Shamsi and Muhammad Irfan Khan were two of the eight players retained by Karachi Kings ahead of the Players’ Draft for the PSL 9, scheduled on December 13.

Besides them, the Kings retained Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood — who joined the franchise after a successful trade with Multan Sultans — James Vince, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Mir Hamza and Muhammad Akhlaq.

READ: Tabraiz Shamsi vows to bring ‘A-Game’ for Karachi Kings in PSL 9

Tabraiz Shamsi vows to bring ‘A-Game’ for Karachi Kings in PSL 9

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ star wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi shared a video message for his fans and the franchise supporters ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

In a video released on the official social media handles of Karachi Kings, the South African spinner asserted that he will help the 2020 champions lift the silverware again by bringing his best.

“I’m beyond excited to be back for the Kings this year. I know it’s been a bit disappointing that it’s been a while since we won the trophy but I will bring my A-Game and help the team to win this trophy once again,” stated Shamsi.

“It’s gonna be a thrilling season and I can’t wait to see you all soon,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that Tabraiz Shamsi was one of the eight players retained by Karachi Kings ahead of the Players’ Draft for the PSL 9, scheduled on December 13.

Barring him, the Kings retained Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood — who joined the franchise after a successful trade with Multan Sultans — James Vince, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Akhlaq and Muhammad Irfan Khan.

In the previous edition of the PSL, Tabraiz Shamsi represented Karachi Kings in four matches and picked up seven wickets at a brilliant average of just 16 and an economy of 6.43.

The highlight of his stint in the previous edition was his 3/18 against Multan Sultans.

READ: Karachi Kings appoint Phil Simmons as Head Coach for HBL PSL 9

Karachi Kings appoint Phil Simmons as Head Coach for HBL PSL 9

Posted on by A Sports

Karachi Kings, Pakistan’s biggest city’s HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, has made a ground-breaking announcement as they named Phil Simmons as their head coach for the upcoming HBL PSL 9.

The franchise proudly welcomes the esteemed Phil Simmons as their Head Coach, marking a significant step in their ongoing revitalization and restructuring process.

Phil Simmons, renowned for his dual role as a star player and as the triumphant coach of the West Indies during the 2016 T20 World Cup, brings a wealth of experience and strategic prowess to the Karachi Kings’ camp.

During his cricket career, Phil Simmons has scored 4,677 runs and picked up 87 wickets. He had a reputation for being an expert limited-over format player.

Karachi is not an unknown territory to the new head coach of Kings’ as he has played a World Cup 1987 match in the city.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Simmons stated, “Returning to Karachi, a city I hold dear from my playing days, feels like a homecoming. I am thrilled to join forces with Haider Azhar and the rest of the team’s think tank, drawing from the rich cricketing heritage of this country.

“I am thankful to team owner Salman Iqbal, CEO Tariq Wasi, and Karachi Kings management for this opportunity. We are eager to move ahead with our rebuilding and restart process of Karachi Kings and establish this franchise as a match-winning unit.”

 

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Salman Iqbal, the owner of Karachi Kings, extended a warm welcome to Simmons, emphasizing the coach’s invaluable addition to the team.

“We are honored to have Phil Simmons join us as the Head Coach. His remarkable track record as a coach and player speaks volumes about his calibre. We are confident his leadership will drive Karachi Kings to greater heights.”

The Karachi Kings management expresses confidence in this revamped coaching ensemble, aiming to create a formidable team ready to conquer the challenges of the upcoming HBL PSL 9.

READ: Shan Masood moves to Karachi Kings, Faisal Akram joins Multan Sultans

Shan Masood moves to Karachi Kings, Faisal Akram joins Multan Sultans

Posted on by A Sports

Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood has joined Karachi Kings for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 in a swap deal with left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram, who will play for Multan Sultans in the tournament.

The trade deal saw Multan Sultans getting Faisal Akram as well as Karachi Kings’ first-round pick in the diamond category and the silver category.

https://twitter.com/thePSLt20/status/1732731713829355889

Previously, Karachi Kings also traded their skipper Imad Wasim to Islamabad United for Hasan Ali and received Islamabad United’s first-round silver pick in exchange for their second silver pick.

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Quetta Gladiators also traded their all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed for Multan Sultans’ batter Rilee Rossouw, who represented Gladiators from 2017-2019.

The trade deal also saw Sultans getting the first pick in the platinum category round one while Gladiators will get the first pick in the silver round one.

The process of local player category renewals for the upcoming ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was completed on 10 November with categories upgraded for nine players.

The PSL Player Draft for the ninth season will take place at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on 13 December 2023.

READ: Prime Minister’s XI trail by 242 runs after Shan Masood’s double ton

Hasan Ali moves to Karachi Kings for PSL 9, Imad Wasim joins Islamabad United

Posted on by A Sports

LAHORE: Karachi Kings have let go of their HBL PSL 5 winning captain Imad Wasim, who will don Islamabad United colours in the ninth edition of the tournament, while pace bowler Hasan Ali will join the Kings squad.

Imad Wasim, who was named as the All-Rounder of HBL PSL 8, has been snapped by Islamabad United in the Platinum category in a trade with Hasan Ali (Diamond category).

By virtue of this player trade, Karachi Kings have received Islamabad United’s first-round silver pick in exchange for their second-round silver pick.

The successful relegation requests from franchisees ahead of the HBL PSL 2024 Player Draft include Lahore Qalandars’ Mirza Tahir Baig, Islamabad United’s Rumman Raees and Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza (all Gold to Silver).

Quetta Gladiators will make the first pick in the PSL 9 Player Draft. Karachi Kings and two-time champions Islamabad United will have the second and third picks.

The fourth and fifth picks will be done by Peshawar Zalmi and last season’s runners-up Multan Sultans respectively while winners of the past two editions Lahore Qalandars will finish the first round with the sixth pick.

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The selection order for the first round for the Platinum category is determined by the inverse order of the previous season’s standings.

In order to make the Pick Order more equitable, a different franchise shall occupy the first pick in the first round of each category.

The retentions and trades are to be finalized ahead of the PSL 9 Player Draft, which has been tentatively scheduled for mid-December, after the completion of the National T20. The final of the National T20 is set to be played on 10 December in Karachi.

READ: PCB announces team management for Australia tour

Karachi Kings unearth three pacers from talent hunt programme

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: The most-followed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Karachi Kings, discovered three pacers from their talent hunt programme, Khiladi Ki Khoj.

The newly-discovered pace trio is comprised of Fawad Ali, Muhammad Suleman and Arsalan Dost.

The selected players will be provided training and career development guidance under Karachi King’s Talent Programme.

The pace trio will train in King’s Talent Program under the supervision of expert coaches, physios, and trainers. This program is led by Karachi Kings’ coach Muhammad Masroor.

Kings’ Talent Program coach Mohammad Masroor has put together an integrated training program with the coaching staff to hone the skills of the selected players.

Karachi Kings’ Khiladi Ki Khoj programme was launched in 2016. The aim of which is to unearth talented players not only from Karachi but from all over the country and provide them with an opportunity to hone their skills and guide them in their career development.

The PSL 2020 champions will hold a trial, this year too, in order to find talented players.

It is pertinent to mention that the registration window for foreign players has been opened for the upcoming PSL 9.

The upcoming edition of Pakistan’s marquee league will tentatively run from 8 February to 24 March.

Notably, the PCB announced last month that the PSL 9 will feature six teams.

The previous edition of the PSL was won by Lahore Qalandars, who defeated Multan Sultans in the final at Gaddafi Stadium to become the first side to clinch two successive PSL titles.

Islamabad United ended the season as third, while Peshawar Zalmi was fourth in the standings. Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

READ: Mir Hamza, Saim Ayub power Karachi Whites to massive lead in QEAT Final

Tayyab Tahir thanks Karachi Kings for maiden T20I call-up

Posted on by A Sports

LAHORE: Young batter Tayyab Tahir has expressed his gratitude to Karachi Kings for giving him a chance to prove his mettle in the Pakistan Super League season 8 and pave the way for his selection in the national team.

Tayyab received his maiden call-up to Pakistan’s T20I side for the three-match series against Afghanistan in Sharjah later this month.

“First of all, I want to thank Karachi Kings fans for supporting us throughout the tournament,” said Tayyab in a video message shared by Karachi Kings on their official Twitter account on Tuesday.

The right-hander added he was grateful to the Kings’ management for providing him with an opportunity to perform on the biggest cricketing stage in the country.

“I get a chance in the national team on this basis,” he acknowledged.

Moreover, he urged the Karachi Kings’ fans to keep supporting the franchise and hoped that he would do well on the international stage.

“I will try to do my best for the Pakistan team as well and make the country proud” he expressed.

It may be noted here Pakistan named a new-look 15-member squad under the captaincy of Shadab Khan for the forthcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, along with Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are given rest while four uncapped players, namely, Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman Khan are included in the squad.

Whereas, Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have been recalled to the national T20I side.

Squad: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan.

Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah, Usama Mir

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Tayyab ‘blessed’ to share dressing room with greats amid his stint with Kings

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ young right-handed batter Tayyab Tahir expressed his pleasure for the opportunity to share the dressing room with ‘great players’ amid his stint with the former champions in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eight.

Tayyab, who represented the Kings in PSL 8, termed it as a great experience after his side bowed out from the tournament on a winning note.

Taking to Twitter, the top order batter also expressed his pleasure in sharing the dressing room with some great players and stated that the Kings will try to make a strong comeback.

“Well it’s been great feeling to part of [Karachi Kings],” wrote Tayyab. “And feel blessed to sharing dressing room with great players and Thank you so much for this experience,” he added.

“We will try to come harder next year inshAllah.”

 

Tayyab represented the Kings in five matches this season. He scored 137 runs at an average of 27.4 and smashed two brilliant half-centuries.

Meanwhile, another emerging cricketer Muhammad Irfan Khan, who impressed with his batting and fielding skills in PSL 8, also expressed his gratitude for concluding the tournament on a winning note and is determined that his side will bounce back in the next edition.

“Alhamdulillah ended the tournament on a high note. Unfortunately couldn’t qualify for the playoffs,” wrote Irfan.

“Thank you everyone for your immense support, we will bounce back next year IN SHA ALLAH,” he added.

 

It is worth mentioning that notable contributions by debutant opener Muhammad Akhlaq and skipper Imad Wasim guided the Kings to a massive total of 196/7 before bowlers led the side to a crushing 86-run victory over Lahore Qalandars.

The dominating victory over Qalandars in their final PSL 8 fixture lifted the Kings to finish in fifth spot as they concluded the extravaganza with six points in 10 matches.

READ: Sethi clarifies decision of resting key players including captain Babar