KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ captain Imad Wasim told Sharjeel Khan and Haider Ali, who were left out of the team during Sunday’s clash against Multan Sultans, not to lose hope and remain prepared for the opportunity that may come at any time in the Pakistan Super League season 8 remainder.
Karachi Kings sealed a sensational 66-run win against Sultans in their final home game yesterday to avenge their earlier loss to the side on the latter’s home soil.
Following their sensational win, skipper Imad delivered a dressing room speech in which he congratulated his team for the amazing victory, and also lifted the confidence of the dispirited players in the squad.
“Please do not give up” he requested Haider and Sharjeel. “The team might need you at any moment so keep practising,” he added.
He also thanked young pacer Mohammad Musa for his efforts in the game despite not bowling a single over on a spin-friendly surface.
“I still believe this is a champion side,” said the skipper in his post-match address, adding “Amir is going to be back (in the team) so there will be a lot of players who will not play so thank you so much for your support”
Dynamic opener Sharjeel was sidelined after the first three fixtures while uncapped Tayyab Tahir was given an opportunity in the side in place of Haider in the last game.
Tayyab proved his inclusion right with an astounding half-century on a tricky surface that saw Karachi Kings’ spinners dominating the Sultans’ batting lineup in the latter half of the game.
It is pertinent to mention here that the 2020 PSL Champions Kings will play Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi in their next encounter in Rawalpindi on March 1.
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KARACHI: The former champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Karachi Kings held a training session ahead of their second clash with table-toppers Multan Sultans in the ongoing eighth edition.
According to the details, all-squad members partook in the Kings’ training session, under the supervision of head coach Johan Botha.
Meanwhile, batting coach Ravi Bopara and assistant coach Michael Smith were also present in the Kings’ training session.
The details further suggest that the players engaged in rigorous drills and practised in the nets.
Kings’ ace pacer Mohammad Amir also joined the team’s training session after missing his side’s previous clash with the Sultans due to an injury.
On the other hand, table-toppers Sultans also held a practice session here at National Bank Cricket Arena as the two sides will lock horns tomorrow.
It is pertinent to mention that Sultans lead the PSL 8 standings with eight points in five matches, while the Kings are in fifth place with two points in as many matches.
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MULTAN: Karachi Kings squad has reached here ahead of their first away Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight clash with home side Multan Sultans, scheduled on Wednesday.
The Kings, who get to the winning track following their dominating 67-run victory over Lahore Qalandars on Sunday, are up for the toughest challenge as they take table-toppers Sultans in their fifth match of the season.
Upon their arrival here, the Kings’ squad received a warm welcome from cricket fans.
“Thank you for the wonderful welcome Multan!” wrote Kings on Twitter as the franchise shared pictures of their squad’s arrival here.
According to the details, the Kings will hold a practice session at Multan Cricket Stadium tomorrow.
It is pertinent to mention that the Kings hold the third spot with two points, behind Peshawar Zalmi, while the Sultans lead the standings with six points in four matches.
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KARACHI: Karachi Kings squad has departed for Multan ahead of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight clash against home side Multan Sultans, scheduled on Wednesday.
The Kings, who get to the winning track following their dominating 67-run victory over Lahore Qalandars on Sunday, are up for the toughest challenge as they take table-toppers Sultans on Wednesday.
Consequently, the Kings’ squad have departed for Multan from Jinnah International Airport on Monday evening.
Taking to Twitter, the Kings shared the pictures of their squad’s departure for Multan.
It is pertinent to mention that the Kings hold the second spot in the PSL 8 points table, behind the Sultans, who lead the standings with six points.
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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi congratulated the players and management of the Karachi Kings after they sealed their maiden win of the Pakistan Super League season 8 on Sunday.
Star ex-cricketer Afridi visited the Karachi Kings dugout after the match and warmly greeted the players following a sensational 67-run victory against arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars.
Afridi, who attended the high-voltage clash of the PSL 8 at National Bank Cricket Arena, expressed that the win was crucial for Karachi Kings after back-to-back defeats.
“It is essential for the PSL that Karachi Kings stay in the tournament,” he said in an informal talk to reporters.”They played well today and won against a good side.”
When asked about the emerging stars in the ongoing PSL, especially Peshawar Zalmi’s Saim Ayub, the former all-rounder opined that one should judge the youngsters with such haste.
“Let the tournament concludes first and then we should judge their overall performance,” he said. “We should not overrate them after one or two matches. This adds additional pressure on them.”
“Let the players enjoy their cricket,” he remarked.
It may be noted here that Karachi Kings’ victory against defending champions Qalandar came after three consecutive defeats in the first three matches of the PSL season 8.
James Vince and captain Imad Wasim led the Kings to pile a mammoth 185/5 before Akif Javed impressed with the ball by grabbing four wickets to bundle out Qalandars for 118.
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KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ fast bowler Aamer Yamin appealed to the people of Multan to come out in numbers and show support for the team in their upcoming clash against Multan Sultans.
Multan-hailed Yamin, who impressed on his first outing of Pakistan Super League season 8 on Sunday, said he was happy to see cricket returning to Multan and requested the cricket fans from his home town to support him and his team when Karachi Kings play Multan Sultans on February 22.
“I am happy to see the people of Multan enjoying the PSL matches this season,” he said in a post-match press conference after the Kings sealed their first win of the tournament after back-to-back defeats.
“I want to appeal people of the city to support me and Karachi Kings when we come to Multan”
Yamin, who took two wickets during Kings’ dominant 67-run victory over arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars yesterday, said his team had played well in the first three matches but unfortunately could not finish the games.
He added the win against Qalandars had boosted the confidence of the camp, saying earlier in the morning, Karachi Kings President Wasim Akram, captain Imad Wasim and head coach Johan Botha all gave confidence to the players for the high-voltage clash.
When asked whether Karachi Kings has now found their optimal combination for the PSL season 8, the right-arm pacer replied: “Obviously when results do not come in your favour, you have to make some tweaks in the combination.”
Moreover, the 32-year-old hailed his fellow pacer Mohammad Amir and said he used to learn a lot from the left-arm pacer on the field and in the nets as well.
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KARACHI: Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) most-followed franchise Karachi Kings celebrated their spinner Tabraiz Shamsi’s birthday ahead of their much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars on Sunday.
Ahead of their fourth fixture of this year’s PSL 8, the Kings threw a birthday party for their spin sensation Shamsi, who turned 33 today.
Taking to Twitter, the Kings shared footage of all squad members participating in the spinner’s birthday celebration.
“Happy Birthday, Tabraiz Shamsi!” wrote Kings.
“Wishing you a year filled with more memorable wickets, amazing performances and lots of celebrations,” the caption added.
It is pertinent to mention that the former PSL champions Kings will lock horns with defending champions Qalandars in the much-hyped clash of the PSL 8 today at National Bank Cricket Arena here and will be eyeing to claim their first triumph in the ongoing extravaganza.
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KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ captain Imad Wasim expressed optimism to steer his team to the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League season 8 despite an undesired start in the tournament.
“We still have seven matches in our hand before the playoffs,” he said in a post-match media talk after Karachi Kings lost their third consecutive match of the PSL 8 on Saturday.
“Our focus now is to win our upcoming matches and make a comeback. Good teams make comebacks in tough times. We will try our best to qualify for playoffs.”
He revealed Karachi Kings’ desperate search for their first win in the tournament and an optimal team combination, saying once they get on the winning ways, their chances to qualify will automatically improve.
“We have matchwinners in the team, we just have to figure out a combination,” he said.
Earlier, Martin Guptill scripted a phenomenal comeback for the Quetta Gladiators as he made the first century of the PSL 8 to help Quetta Gladiators edge Karachi Kings by six runs.
“We leaked too many runs in the last overs,” said Imad while crediting Guptill for taking the game away from the Karachi Kings.
“We played poor cricket,” he accepted. “We made mistakes which cost us in all three matches. We played well in phases but couldn’t finish it off well,” he said.
When asked whether he was under pressure after consecutive defeats, Karachi Kings’ captain replied in negation and assured that he would not give up till the very last game.
Kings will next face arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in a blockbuster clash on Sunday at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
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KARACHI: Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) most-followed franchise Karachi Kings on Friday, held an optional training session ahead of their home clash against Quetta Gladiators, scheduled on Saturday.
According to the details, all-rounders Ben Cutting and James Fuller alongside pacers Ifran Khan Niazi and Aamer Yamin partook in the Kings’ optional training session, under the supervision of head coach Johan Botha.
Meanwhile, batting coach Ravi Bopara and assistant coach Michael Smith were also present in the Kings’ optional training session.
It is pertinent to mention that the Kings will take on Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Gladiators in their third PSL 8 fixture on Saturday here at National Bank Cricket Arena.
The Kings are yet to taste the triumph in the ongoing PSL 8 and will be eyeing to end the jinx against Gladiators, who, are also searching for the maiden triumph in this year’s extravaganza.
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KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ left-arm pacer Mir Hamza has been ruled out of the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eight due to an injury.
According to the details, Hamza fractured one of his fingers amid his side’s opening clash against Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday which resulted in him ruling out of the ongoing marquee league.
The Kings are yet to announce Hamza’s replacement for the remainder of the league.
Taking to Twitter, Hamza’s PSL franchise Kings confirmed that the pacer fractured one of his fingers due to which he has been ruled out of the ongoing season.
“Fast bowler Mir Hamza has been ruled out of [PSL 8] due to a fractured finger,” wrote Kings.
“Our thoughts are with him, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The Karachi Kings family is with you, Mir!” Kings added.
Hamza was part of the Kings’ Playing XI during their two-run defeat against Zalmi in their opening match of PSL 8 on Tuesday.
The left-arm pacer could bowl two overs in the thriller against Zalmi and picked up a wicket for 13 runs.
It is pertinent to mention that the Kings will lock horns with Islamabad United in their second PSL 8 fixture on Thursday.