Tag: Karachi Kings

LAHORE: A composed late assault from Moeen Ali, followed by a decisive four-wicket haul from Hasan Ali, powered Karachi Kings to a hard-fought 14-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in a thrilling Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Defending a competitive 182-run target, Karachi held their nerve to restrict Quetta to 167-7 despite a blazing start from the Gladiators’ top order.

Chasing the total, Quetta came out aggressively as opener Shamyl Hussain and captain Saud Shakeel stitched together a rapid 79-run stand in just seven overs.

Hussain led the charge with a scintillating 52 off 24 deliveries, laced with boundaries all around the park, before his dismissal triggered a shift in momentum.

The Kings struck back quickly through Salman Ali Agha and Adam Zampa, removing Hussain, Khawaja Nafay (3) and Shakeel in quick succession. Shakeel managed a steady 33 off 25 balls but struggled to maintain the required tempo.

A brief rebuilding effort from Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz added 29 runs, but the innings never truly regained control.

Hasan Ali then turned the contest decisively in Karachi’s favour with a match-defining penultimate over, dismissing Nawaz before removing Tom Curran and Ahmed Daniyal in quick succession.

Despite a late cameo from Ben McDermott (25*), Quetta fell short as Karachi Kings closed out a tense finish.

Hasan Ali finished as the standout performer with figures of 4-27, while Zampa, Moeen and Agha bagged one wicket each.

Earlier, Karachi Kings posted 181-7 after being put into bat, thanks to Moeen Ali’s quick cameo.

The Kings endured an early setback when Muhammad Waseem was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the opening over, leaving the side reeling at 3-1.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Salman Ali Agha and captain David Warner then steadied the innings with a 41-run stand. Agha struck a quickfire 22 off just 10 deliveries before being trapped lbw by Ahmed Daniyal.

Warner then anchored the innings alongside Saad Baig, adding 43 runs for the third wicket. Baig’s 30 off 23 balls ended at the hands of Daniyal, while Warner followed soon after with a measured 35 from 22 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six, as Karachi slipped to 100-4 midway through the innings.

The middle order, however, struggled to build sustained momentum. Azam Khan fell for 14 after being bowled by Usman Tariq, leaving the Kings in need of a late surge.

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That impetus came through Moeen Ali, who took control in the latter stages of the innings. He forged a crucial 39-run partnership with Khushdil Shah (12) before accelerating in the death overs.

Moeen remained unbeaten on a fluent 48 off 29 deliveries, striking four fours and three sixes, ensuring Karachi finished strongly at 181-7.

For Quetta Gladiators, Ahmed Daniyal was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. Alzarri Joseph provided solid support with two wickets, while Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one apiece.

READ: Argentina head coach opens up on Messi’s 2026 World Cup participation

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. 

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Muhammad Waseem, Salman Ali Agha, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Khushdil Shah, Shahid Aziz, Hasan Ali, Adam Zampa and Mir Hamza.

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Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Shamyl Hussain, Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Ben McDermott (wk), Tom Curran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

HEAD TO HEAD

Karachi and Quetta have faced each other in 20 matches, with the latter holding a lead with 13 victories. Meanwhile, the Kings have secured seven wins.

Matches 20, Karachi Kings 7, Quetta Gladiators 13

LAHORE: Karachi Kings fast bowler Abbas Afridi has set his sights on delivering another impactful season as he aims to play a key role in the franchise’s title push in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Speaking ahead of the team’s opening match against Quetta Gladiators, Abbas expressed his desire to replicate last year’s performances and contribute significantly to the team’s success.

“My goal for PSL 11 is simple: to perform the way I did last season and deliver consistent performances for my team,” Abbas said.

The right-arm pacer was instrumental in Karachi Kings’ campaign in PSL 10, where the side reached the playoffs under the captaincy of David Warner.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

In his debut season for the franchise, Abbas picked up 17 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 23.52, emerging as one of the team’s key bowlers.

Reflecting on the team environment, Abbas Afridi highlighted the positive morale within the squad and the collective ambition to lift the trophy.

“The team’s morale is high. We will try to give our best performances and aim to win the PSL title this season,” he added.

Abbas emphasized that his primary focus remains on his bowling, with the objective of contributing to the team’s victories through strong individual performances.

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“My focus is on my bowling, to perform as well as I can and play my part in the team’s success,” he said.

The 24-year-old also backed Karachi Kings to make the most of their home conditions, pointing out the familiarity and advantage it brings.

“Karachi is our home ground, and the conditions suit us. InshaAllah, we will try to deliver strong performances there,” he noted.

Abbas further underlined his personal ambition for the season, making his intentions clear ahead of PSL 11.

“My personal goal is to help Karachi Kings win the title with my bowling,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi appoint Azhar Ali as fielding coach

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

LAHORE: Karachi Kings pacer Mir Hamza has thrown his support behind captain David Warner, calling his leadership a major boost for the franchise ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

Warner, who returns to lead the side for a second consecutive season, guided Karachi Kings to the playoffs in the previous edition, where they were knocked out by eventual champions Lahore Qalandars.

With a revamped squad and added depth, the Kings will be aiming to go a step further this time around.

“Having David Warner as captain again this season is a big positive for us. He is very supportive and a natural leader,” Hamza said while speaking to the media ahead of the team’s training session.

The left-arm pacer also highlighted the balance within the squad, particularly pointing out the addition of Salman Ali Agha as a key asset.

“We also have a strong middle-order option in Salman Ali Agha, who can contribute with both bat and ball and is capable of playing long innings,” he added.

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Mir Hamza noted that the team’s preparations are now gathering momentum after a slow start due to the Eid break.

“Our preparation is going well, and the warm-up match has come at the right time. We needed match practice as a team, and today’s game helped us a lot in getting into rhythm,” he said.

With the league expanding to eight teams this season, the competition is expected to intensify. Hamza acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic.

“All franchises have built strong squads, so we will see a good competition. My focus is to perform for my team and contribute wherever needed,” he remarked.

He also downplayed concerns over weather conditions, stating that players must adapt to different situations.

“Weather always has an impact, but as professionals, we have to adjust. Most of our matches are at night, so conditions won’t affect us much,” he explained.

Karachi Kings will begin their PSL 11 campaign on Friday against Quetta Gladiators, with a squad featuring a mix of international stars and local talent.

Karachi Kings squad for PSL 11

David Warner (c), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Zampa, Mohammad Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Khwaja Bin Tanveer, Reeza Hendricks, Muhammad Waseem, Ihsanullah and Rizwanullah.

READ: Hyderabad Kingsmen sign star Sri Lanka spinner for PSL 11

Karachi Kings have added emerging top-order batter Haroon Arshad to Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 squad.

The signing was confirmed through the franchise’s social handles in an animated poster.

“Welcoming our newest star. After shining in domestic cricket with 3 First-Class hundreds, Pakistan U19 sensation Haroon Arshad is now ready to shine brightest on the PSL stage,” Kings wrote on ‘X’.

 

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The 20-year-old has represented Pakistan U19 and scored his maiden first-class century on debut while returning for Karachi Blues in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26.

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He ended his impressive debut season with 748 runs in 13 matches at an average of 29.92 with the help of three centuries.

For the unversed, PSL 11 will be played from March 26 behind closed doors at two venues, Lahore and Karachi.

The decision comes as an austerity measure in the wake of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel’s war on Iran and aimed at fuel saving measures.

The opening match will be played between the defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Karachi Kings will open their campaign against Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on March 28.

Updated Karachi Kings squad for PSL 11:

David Warner (c), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Zampa, Mohammad Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Khwaja Bin Tanveer, Reeza Hendricks, Haroon Arshad, Muhammad Waseem, Ihsanullah, and Rizwanullah.

Karachi Kings fixtures:

27 March – vs Quetta Gladiators, Lahore
29 March – vs Lahore Qalandars, Lahore
2 April – vs RawalPindiz, Rawalpindi
9 April – vs Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi
11 April – vs Hyderabad Kingsmen, Karachi
16 April – vs Islamabad United, Karachi
19 April – vs Multan Sultans, Lahore
22 April – vs Hyderabad Kingsmen, Lahore
23 April – vs Lahore Qalandars, Lahore
25 April – vs Quetta Gladiators, Lahore

READ: Naqvi confirms action against players withdrawing from PSL

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

Karachi Kings bolstered their squad at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Player Auction with the addition of David Warner, Salman Ali Agha, and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan.

David Warner returns to Karachi Kings for PKR 7.9 crore after captaining the side in PSL 10.

The dynamic left-hander was one of the team’s standout performers, scoring 368 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 33.45 and a strike rate of 153.97.

 

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Power-hitter Azam Khan was secured for PKR 3.25 crore. Azam began his PSL career with Quetta Gladiators before representing Islamabad United, featuring in 61 matches overall.

 

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He has accumulated 1,206 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 143.40. Behind the stumps, Azam has taken 27 catches and completed seven stumpings, adding further depth to Karachi Kings’ wicketkeeping options.

Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha was bought for PKR 5.85 crore.

 

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Currently leading the national side in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Salman brings valuable experience, having previously represented Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United in the PSL.

He has scored 730 runs in 36 matches and also contributed with four wickets.

Earlier, ahead of the PSL 11 Player Auction, Karachi Kings retained a strong core by securing Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and Saad Baig (Emerging).

The franchise also strengthened its lineup with the direct signing of an England all-rounder.

READ: T20 World Cup: Steve Smith earns surprise call-up to Australia squad

Karachi Kings have directly signed Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali for the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, set to commence on 26 March.

The 2020 winners of the PSL Karachi Kings shared the news on their social media accounts.

“We’re excited to announce England’s explosive force, Moeen Ali, joining the #KingsSquad for PKR 6.44 Crore in the HBL PSL,” the caption read.

 

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The Birmingham-born Moeen has extensive experience and has been a regular on the global T20 circuit.

Notably, Moeen had previously featured in the league, playing nine games for Multan Sultans from 2019 to 2021.

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In addition to the PSL, he has been a regular in the IPL in recent years, appearing in every edition since 2018 across three teams.

Earlier today, Karachi Kings announced the retention prices for their four retained players ahead of the PSL 11 players’ auction, scheduled for February 11.

The retention prices were confirmed through PSL’s official social media accounts, with Hasan being retained for PKR 47.6 million.

Afridi will earn PKR 30.8 million, while Khushdil has been secured for PKR 33.6 million. Saad, who was retained in the emerging category, will get PKR 6 million.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft system has been replaced by an auction format for the first time in PSL history.

READ: Islamabad United rope in Devon Conway for PSL 11

Karachi Kings on Wednesday announced the retention prices of their four retained players ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players’ auction, scheduled to take place on February 11.

Karachi Kings retained Hasan Ali, and Abbas Afridi are retained in the Platinum and Diamond categories, respectively.

All-rounder Khushdil Shah is retained in Gold, while Saad Baig is in the Emerging category.

Kings are prepared for the next phase 🤴🏽

Karachi Kings have locked in their retained players for HBL PSL 2026, ahead of the Player’s Auction#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/IYgHAxeXyJ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 4, 2026

The retention prices were confirmed through PSL’s official social media accounts, with Hasan being retained for PKR 47.6 million.

Afridi will earn PKR 30.8 million, while Khushdil has been secured for PKR 33.6 million. Saad, who was retained in the emerging category, will get PKR 6 million.

For the unversed, each franchise has been allotted a total budget of PKR 450 million for PSL 11, while an additional PKR 55 million has been reserved for direct signings under the league’s new auction-based model.

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Notably, PSL 11 marks a major shift in the league’s player recruitment process as the traditional draft system has been replaced by an auction format for the first time in PSL history.

On Tuesday, five out of the six old franchises announced their list of retained players, while Multan Sultans confirmed they will enter the auction with zero retentions, giving them the maximum purse ahead of the bidding process.

PSL 11 retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)

READ: Islamabad United reveal retention prices of three players