- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 24,648
Karachi Kings Post-Match Presser: Mir Hamza
Q: The opposition changed the ball’s condition today. Was that something you guys were expecting?
Mir Hamza: To be honest, I was sitting out on the balcony at the time. I didn’t see exactly what happened; I was just trying to stay in the zone and focus on my own batting.
Q: You were on the balcony during the 14th over of the Lahore innings when the ball was changed. Was that a case of the color fading, or was the condition actually being altered while Karachi was in the field?
Mir Hamza: The color change was obvious—everyone could see that. As for the technical reason behind why it happened or how it was handled, I really don't have an answer for you. I have no idea about that side of it.
Q: This Karachi vs. Lahore rivalry is always massive. After restricting them to 129, did you expect the match to get this tight?
Mir Hamza: This rivalry has been intense since Day 1. Most Karachi-Lahore games end up as nail-biters, and today was no different. Even though we restricted them to 129, we knew they wouldn't roll over. Credit to their bowlers; they made it very difficult for us. But after those three early wickets, Shoaib Malik and the middle order steadied the ship, and Abbas Afridi finished it brilliantly.
Q: This was the fourth consecutive match on this pitch, and it looked quite "double-paced" with inconsistent bounce. Is the camp happy with the surface used for such a big game?
Mir Hamza: As professional cricketers, we have to be ready for any surface. Sometimes you get a "highway" where 220 is scored, and sometimes you get a green top with moisture. On a slow track like this, you need patience and variations as a bowler. There are no excuses—you have to adapt your game to the conditions provided.
Q: PSL is a global brand. Do you think controversies like this ball-tampering incident damage the league's reputation?
Mir Hamza: The match referees and officials are there to manage those situations. They know the protocols and what actions to take. From a player's perspective, I think it’s better if we focus on the actual cricket, the performances, and the results rather than the off-field talk.
Q: Is this the most balanced Karachi Kings squad we’ve seen in the last five years?
Mir Hamza: I truly believe so. Even players from other franchises have told us that our side looks the most balanced this year. From the opening pair to the finishing depth and the variety in our bowling, it’s a very complete unit. The expectations are high, but we’ve started with two wins and hope to keep that momentum going.
Q: You needed 14 runs in the final over, but a 5-run penalty made it much easier. How much of a "breather" did that give the dugout?
Mir Hamza: It changed the dynamic completely. On a slow pitch, chasing 14 in the last over is a massive task. Once we got those 5 penalty runs, it came down to 9 runs—which usually means you're just one boundary away from winning. There was still pressure, but the way Abbas hit those last two shots was incredible. I was literally jumping and cheering in the dugout; it was a fantastic finish.
Q: If Karachi Kings makes it to the final, which team do you see as your toughest opponent?
Mir Hamza: We have to take it one step at a time and actually get to the final first—cricket is unpredictable. But if you're asking who looks like the second-best side in the tournament right now, I’d have to say the Pindiz side looks very strong.
Q: The opposition changed the ball’s condition today. Was that something you guys were expecting?
Mir Hamza: To be honest, I was sitting out on the balcony at the time. I didn’t see exactly what happened; I was just trying to stay in the zone and focus on my own batting.
Q: You were on the balcony during the 14th over of the Lahore innings when the ball was changed. Was that a case of the color fading, or was the condition actually being altered while Karachi was in the field?
Mir Hamza: The color change was obvious—everyone could see that. As for the technical reason behind why it happened or how it was handled, I really don't have an answer for you. I have no idea about that side of it.
Q: This Karachi vs. Lahore rivalry is always massive. After restricting them to 129, did you expect the match to get this tight?
Mir Hamza: This rivalry has been intense since Day 1. Most Karachi-Lahore games end up as nail-biters, and today was no different. Even though we restricted them to 129, we knew they wouldn't roll over. Credit to their bowlers; they made it very difficult for us. But after those three early wickets, Shoaib Malik and the middle order steadied the ship, and Abbas Afridi finished it brilliantly.
Q: This was the fourth consecutive match on this pitch, and it looked quite "double-paced" with inconsistent bounce. Is the camp happy with the surface used for such a big game?
Mir Hamza: As professional cricketers, we have to be ready for any surface. Sometimes you get a "highway" where 220 is scored, and sometimes you get a green top with moisture. On a slow track like this, you need patience and variations as a bowler. There are no excuses—you have to adapt your game to the conditions provided.
Q: PSL is a global brand. Do you think controversies like this ball-tampering incident damage the league's reputation?
Mir Hamza: The match referees and officials are there to manage those situations. They know the protocols and what actions to take. From a player's perspective, I think it’s better if we focus on the actual cricket, the performances, and the results rather than the off-field talk.
Q: Is this the most balanced Karachi Kings squad we’ve seen in the last five years?
Mir Hamza: I truly believe so. Even players from other franchises have told us that our side looks the most balanced this year. From the opening pair to the finishing depth and the variety in our bowling, it’s a very complete unit. The expectations are high, but we’ve started with two wins and hope to keep that momentum going.
Q: You needed 14 runs in the final over, but a 5-run penalty made it much easier. How much of a "breather" did that give the dugout?
Mir Hamza: It changed the dynamic completely. On a slow pitch, chasing 14 in the last over is a massive task. Once we got those 5 penalty runs, it came down to 9 runs—which usually means you're just one boundary away from winning. There was still pressure, but the way Abbas hit those last two shots was incredible. I was literally jumping and cheering in the dugout; it was a fantastic finish.
Q: If Karachi Kings makes it to the final, which team do you see as your toughest opponent?
Mir Hamza: We have to take it one step at a time and actually get to the final first—cricket is unpredictable. But if you're asking who looks like the second-best side in the tournament right now, I’d have to say the Pindiz side looks very strong.
