Karachi Kings (131/6) clinch narrow 4-wicket win over arch rivals Lahore Qalandars (128/9) in match 6 of PSL 11

[Cricket Warrior]

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.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Sikandar Raza in the post match press conference:

Q: Can you walk us through the drama of the final over? There was a five-run penalty for allegedly changing the condition of the ball. What exactly happened and why did Shaheen look so frustrated?

Sikandar Raza: "To be honest, we are still waiting for the exact communication. At the time, the umpires just told us to step aside because they were talking to the third umpire via walkie-talkie. Even the Captain was told to stay at his fielding position. We asked for reasons, but they told us we’d get clarity with time. I think the umpires or the third umpire can give you a better answer than I can right now."

Q: The PCB has officially stated the ball was changed because of an 'attempt to change its condition.' Do you agree with this assertion, and will you raise this with the Match Referee?

Sikandar Raza: "I can only speak for myself. There was never an intent on our side to change the condition of the ball. All I remember is trying to dry the ball because there was a bit of dew on the boundary ropes at long-on. The umpires requested that I don't dry it under my shirt, so I started using my sleeves. Unless we see proof of who they are accusing, it is a very big decision to make."

Q: There are reports from the Lahore Police and the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) regarding a security breach. It’s alleged that four people went up to your room against protocol. Can you clarify this?

Sikandar Raza: "Look, I was born in Pakistan. It is only natural that my family members will come to see me. I fully respect the protocol of not leaving the hotel, which I haven't. In my first four years with Lahore Qalandars, family and close friends were always allowed to visit us in our rooms or the team room. I wasn't aware that the SOPs had changed this year. If these are the new rules, I have no choice but to respect them, but meeting family in a business center feels a bit odd."

Q: There is talk that Shaheen Afridi 'insisted' on taking your guests up to the room, bypassing security. How do you respond to the ACU's concerns about what happens behind closed doors?

Sikandar Raza: "Shaheen didn't 'insist' or act out of turn. He went there because I requested him. I told him my family was here and I couldn't meet them in a business center. If you are looking for a 'culprit' in this situation, he is sitting right in front of you—it’s me, not Shaheen. We sat there for about 40 minutes, and we gave their ID cards to security. I have known these people since I was 19 years old."

Q: Lahore only managed 129 runs today. Was the pitch to blame for such a low total?

Sikandar Raza: "Blaming the pitch would be a very weak excuse. We were 100/4 after 13 overs. My plan with Haseeb was that even if we played at eight runs per over for the rest of the innings, we would reach 150. The real reason is that we played extremely poorly. We have enough experience and quality to read the wicket and adapt. We should have reached 160."

Q: Haris Rauf conceded 45 runs while Ubaid Shah, who was bowling well, didn't finish his overs. Was there a calculation error in the bowling changes?

Sikandar Raza: "It’s a bit funny. If Ubaid had bowled the last over and we lost, you would be asking why we didn't use our specialist death bowler. Haris is a senior bowler; he is the best at the death and has won so many matches for Pakistan. He only gave away five runs in the 18th over. There is no guarantee in cricket—you can bowl a great over and then a bad one. Those who want to be unhappy with the captaincy will always find a reason."

I sympathize with the players. They must feel suffocated with all these security protocols. On one hand, the state claims that there are no security reasons for holding the PSL behind closed doors, on the other hand they enforce such stringent security protocols on players that clearly weren't there last season as Sikander Raza is saying.

Fact is they should have postponed the tournament if there were security threats, instead of holding it with no fans and lying to us by telling us how its because of austerity.

 

[Cricket Warrior]