Tag: Karachi Kings

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The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be a key venue, hosting 13 matches, including the Eliminators and the grand final, which promises to be a spectacular event.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will heighten the excitement with 11 action-packed matches, including the crucial Qualifier 1 on May 13.

Meanwhile, the historic National Bank Stadium in Karachi and the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five dynamic matches.

READ: Jake Paul set to face former WBC champion in upcoming bout

From the serene valleys of Swat to the electric stadiums of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), fast bowler Fawad Ali is living his dream, thanks to the Karachi Kings’ Talent Hunt Program that first spotted his raw talent in 2023.

Fawad, who made his PSL debut on April 12 against Multan Sultans, expressed overwhelming joy that came with stepping onto the big stage.

“My debut was against Multan Sultans, and I was absolutely overjoyed. Sharing the field with senior players like our captain, David Warner, felt surreal,” he said.

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“Hasoo [Hasan Ali] was at mid-on while I was bowling. He kept guiding me throughout my spell, telling me what to do and how to execute it. I followed exactly what he advised, and that really helped.”

Despite the intensity of playing in front of a massive crowd for the first time, Fawad shared that he remained composed, thanks to the support of his seniors.

“I used to play a lot of tape-ball cricket, so the crowd or big stage didn’t put much pressure on me. Plus, with senior players around me in the field giving advice and support, it all felt manageable,” he stated.

Raised in a region with limited cricket infrastructure, Fawad vividly remembers the impact of Karachi Kings bringing trials to his hometown.

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“It felt amazing that Karachi Kings organised trials in our area. We don’t have structured cricket like that in Swat. When they came, it felt like something truly different was happening. I gave the trials and Alhamdulillah, I topped them,” he added.

After being part of the squad in PSL 9 as a replacement for Tim Seifert, Fawad was officially drafted into the Emerging Category for PSL 10 following his growth at the Karachi Kings Academy, where he trained under the franchise’s professional coaching setup.

“My goal this season is to deliver my best performance in the PSL and, Insha’Allah, represent Pakistan in the future,” he concluded.

READ: ‘He is our best player’: Hasan Ali backs Babar Azam amid criticism

KARACHI: Fast bowler Fawad Ali, who was discovered through the Karachi Kings Talent Hunt Program, made his Pakistan Super League (PSL) debut against Multan Sultans here on Saturday.

Hailing from Swat Valley, the 22-year-old pacer’s journey from grassroots cricket to the PSL spotlight embodies the franchise’s commitment to unearthing and nurturing local talent.

Fawad Ali was first identified during the Karachi Kings Talent Hunt Program in Swat Valley in 2023.

Since then, he has undergone rigorous training at the Karachi Academy under the mentorship of the franchise’s coaching staff. His inclusion in the squad marks a milestone for the Kings’ developmental ecosystem.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Following his consistent progress, Fawad was formally drafted into the team’s Emerging Category during the HBL PSL 2025 Players Draft held in January.

Fawad Ali will take the field today at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, as the Kings begin their HBL PSL 10 campaign against Multan Sultans.

PLAYING XIs

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (wk & c), Shai Hope, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Shahid Aziz, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Usama Mir, Akif Javed

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), James Vince, Shan Masood, Tim Seifert (wk), Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Adam Milne, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Ali, Fawad Ali, Abbas Afridi

Karachi Kings have announced two key squad changes for their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 campaign, bringing in Australia’s Ben McDermott and national U19 captain Saad Baig.

McDermott comes in for Bangladesh’s Litton Das, who has been ruled out of the tournament after picking up an injury during training ahead of Karachi’s opening match.

Das suffered a painful injury to his right thumb. Following the incident, he underwent detailed scans that revealed a hairline fracture. He was picked by the Karachi Kings as their second pick in the silver category during the PSL 10 Draft.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

A seasoned campaigner in the shortest format, McDermott adds firepower to the Kings’ batting unit.

The Australian wicketkeeper-batter brings a wealth of T20 experience with him, having plied his trade in the Big Bash League (BBL), The Hundred, and other T20 leagues around the globe.

Meanwhile, Saad Baig has been added to the squad as a partial replacement for New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who is unavailable for the Karachi leg of the tournament.

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Baig, who captained Pakistan in the ICC U19 World Cup earlier this year, had already been part of the Kings’ setup last season in the Emerging Category.

His return reflects the franchise’s continued faith in local talent, with the young wicketkeeper-batter touted as one of Pakistan’s most exciting future prospects.

Karachi Kings will start their PSL 10 campaign today, facing Multan Sultans at their home ground, 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, Mir Hamza, Fawad Ali, Riazullah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, Saad Baig, Ben McDermott and Mirza Mamoon.

READ: Colin Munro surpasses Rilee Rossouw’s PSL record

Karachi Kings faced a significant setback before their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 opening match against Multan Sultans, as Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das has been ruled out of the tournament.

During a rigorous practice session, Das suffered a painful injury to his right thumb. Following the incident, he underwent detailed scans that revealed a hairline fracture.

This unforeseen setback necessitated immediate medical attention and a recovery period of at least two weeks, casting a shadow over his further participation in the tournament.

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The Bangladeshi batter took to his official Facebook account to reveal the unfortunate news, confirming that he would be flying back to his home country for further assessment and treatment.

“I was truly excited to play in the PSL for Karachi Kings, but the Almighty had other plans,” Litton Das posted. During a practice session, I picked up a finger injury. Scans revealed a hairline fracture, and recovery will take at least 2 weeks.”

“So sadly, my PSL mission is over before it even began. I’m flying back to Bangladesh and seeking your prayers & love for a quick recovery. Wishing the very best of luck to my team, Karachi Kings.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

It’s worth noting that Das was picked by the Karachi Kings as their second pick in the silver category during the PSL 10 Draft.

Karachi Kings will start their PSL 10 campaign today, facing Multan Sultans at their home ground, 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: Colin Munro surpasses Rilee Rossouw’s PSL record

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

Karachi Kings’ fast bowling coach, Shaun Tait, has expressed confidence in the team’s depth and experience as they prepare for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.

Tait, who has previously coached Pakistan and Afghanistan and was recently part of Quetta Gladiators’ coaching staff in PSL 9, believes the composition of the Karachi Kings squad will make strategic execution more seamless.

“It’s a strong side with serious experience—not just among the international players but also with the local stars,” he stated.

“You’ve got Pakistan’s Test captain [Shan Masood], and of course, David Warner leading the side. When you have players who’ve seen it all, the strategy side becomes easier. The key is to slot them into the right roles and let them do their job.”

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Speaking about his approach as a fast bowling coach, Shaun Tait emphasized tailoring tactics based on individual skill sets.

“It depends on the bowler. If someone is an out-and-out pacer, you have to let them unleash and go for wickets. Others might focus more on line and length, slower deliveries, and variations,” he added.

“If you’re lucky enough to have a genuine strike bowler, you just let him bowl as fast as he can.”

Tait, known during his playing days for his raw pace and aggression, has represented Australia in all three formats, claiming 95 international wickets and 598 across his professional career.

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Now, on the coaching front, he’s pleased with the blend of senior pros and emerging talent in the Kings’ setup.

“We’ve had a couple of good training sessions. Many of the players have already represented Pakistan and played in PSL for years,” he further stated.

“There’s not much heavy coaching required with such experienced guys. For the younger ones who might not start in the first couple of games, this is a golden chance to learn from seasoned teammates.”

READ: Islamabad United suffer major blow ahead of PSL 10 opener against Lahore Qalandars

All-rounder Aamir Jamal is brimming with excitement as he gears up for his third Pakistan Super League (PSL) season—this time, in the colors of the Karachi Kings.

Picked in the Gold category during the HBL PSL 10 Draft, the 28-year-old is ready to make an impact in what he describes as a “new and exciting journey.”

“It’s my third PSL season, but it still feels like the first. I’m more excited than ever,” Aamir shared. “It’s a fresh experience with Karachi Kings, and the thrill of starting a new journey always brings a different kind of motivation.”

With stints at Peshawar Zalmi in previous seasons, Aamir made his mark as a pace-bowling all-rounder, claiming 14 wickets and scoring 167 runs at a blistering strike rate of 151.81 across 14 matches.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Now, with the Karachi Kings, he’s looking forward to growing further—especially with the team’s experienced overseas lineup.

“Having players like David Warner, Adam Milne, and Tim Seifert [in the squad] adds incredible value. They’ve played all over the world, and we’re eager to learn from their experience and apply that knowledge during matches,” he added.

Aamir Jamal also spoke highly of the Kings’ fast-bowling coach, Shaun Tait, with whom he has previously worked during Tait’s tenure as Pakistan’s bowling coach.

“Shaun Tait and I have worked together before [during his stint with the Pakistan team], and I’ve always benefited from our discussions—especially about situational bowling,” he said.

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“He helps us understand how to adapt under pressure, and I’m keen to soak in as much as I can from him this season,” he further stated.

When asked whether he enjoys batting or bowling more, Aamir responded with a grin: “Like most bowling all-rounders, I enjoy my batting the most. I love the challenge and the chance to contribute in both departments.”

Looking ahead to the Karachi Kings’ tournament opener on April 12 at the National Bank Stadium, Aamir emphasized preparation and mindset.

“We’re doing everything we can to be ready—batting, bowling, fitness, everything. We’re committed to giving our 100%. That’s our mindset, and InshaAllah we’ll give it our all from the very first game.”

READ: Abbas Afridi Returns to Karachi Kings with Eyes on the HBL PSL 10 Trophy

Pacer Abbas Afridi has rejoined the Karachi Kings for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, calling it a return to “old family” and expressing confidence in both his preparation and the squad’s potential to go all the way this season.

Afridi, who made his PSL debut with the Kings in PSL 6 (2021), was brought back into the fold during the Platinum round of the PSL 10 Draft after three successful seasons with Multan Sultans.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s most promising fast bowlers, having claimed 43 wickets in 29 PSL matches at an impressive average of 19.74.

“I’m really excited for this PSL—returning to my old family, Karachi Kings. Preparations have been going really well and, InshaAllah, I’ll try to deliver strong performances throughout the tournament,” said Abbas.

Commenting on the squad’s prospects this year, the young pacer praised the team’s balance and depth.

“MashaAllah, Karachi Kings have assembled a very strong squad this season. The local talent and international experience in this group make us a well-rounded unit. We’re hopeful this combination takes us to the final—and beyond,” he added.

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When asked about the competition and which team could challenge the Karachi Kings the most, Abbas Afridi responded with confidence: “All teams are strong, no doubt—but I believe we are the strongest.”

“Our goal is simple: not to let any opponent get close. We’ll stick to the plans given by our captain, David Warner, and I’m personally very excited to play under his leadership.”

Abbas Afridi also acknowledged the support and trust shown by the Karachi Kings’ management since his return.

“The management has been backing me strongly and pushing me to give my best. I hope to live up to their expectations and contribute to the team’s success,” he further stated.

The pacer ended with a heartfelt message for the fans: “I would just say to all the fans—please come to the stadium and support us. Your presence means the world to us.”

Karachi Kings will kick off their PSL 10 campaign on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at National Bank Stadium, Karachi, against Multan Sultans—the very team Abbas Afridi represented over the past three seasons.

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