Karachi Kings 2021 | Squad and Discussion Thread

[MenInG]

Before Player Draft:

Karachi Kings (retained) - Amir Yamin (gold); Arshad Iqbal (emerging); Babar Azam (platinum); Colin Ingram (platinum, traded from Islamabad United); Imad Wasim (diamond, successful relation request); Mohammad Amir (platinum); Sharjeel Khan gold) and Waqas Maqsood (silver, brand ambassador)

Released – Ali Khan, Awais Zia, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton, Chris Jordan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mitchell McCleneghan, Mohammad Rizwan, Umaid Asif, Umer Khan and Usama Mir


FINAL SQUAD:

 

[Rana]

Whilst they dont have a keeper, it is surprising to see considering the strong lobby Rizwan has these days for KK not to retain him.

Seems like the champions of Pakistan's premier T20 competition know better on how to function a T20 side than the PCB wastemans.

 

[Rana]

Rohail Nazir released by MS. I would target him as my no.1 priority for the Keeper batsman slot

 

[Firebat]

Chris Jordan and Umaid Asif both released. Need to ensure they get some strong bowlers in the auction

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Wow I am surprised they released Iftikhar. He is a very good limited-overs player. Has enjoyed success in PSL and domestics. Also they need fast-bowlers and a keeper.

If I were them I would try to target someone like Morkel. Could really bring alot to their attack.

 

[Rana]

Wow I am surprised they released Iftikhar. He is a very good limited-overs player. Has enjoyed success in PSL and domestics. Also they need fast-bowlers and a keeper.

If I were them I would try to target someone like Morkel. Could really bring alot to their attack.

LQ should sign Iftikhar. He will be the missing piece of the Jigsaw

 

[deems]

Whilst they dont have a keeper, it is surprising to see considering the strong lobby Rizwan has these days for KK not to retain him.

Seems like the champions of Pakistan's premier T20 competition know better on how to function a T20 side than the PCB wastemans.

Maybe they thought it be better if they were not going to play him. And also, Imad doesn't need another captain alongside Babar. Too many captains in 1 team can only be bad thing in Pakistan cricket.

 

[TeymurBlake]

How has Chris Jordan not been retained yet Waqas "Goatee Shotee" Maqsood is.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

LQ should sign Iftikhar. He will be the missing piece of the Jigsaw

Yeah LQ would definitely benefit from a player like him. Their batting order does not inspire much hope. FAr too dependent on 2-3 players.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

How has Chris Jordan not been retained yet Waqas "Goatee Shotee" Maqsood is.

Jordan will likely be unavailable for the entirety of the the tournament.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Jordan will likely be unavailable for the entirety of the the tournament.

Ahhh yes.

 

[Khan12]

Whilst they dont have a keeper, it is surprising to see considering the strong lobby Rizwan has these days for KK not to retain him.

Seems like the champions of Pakistan's premier T20 competition know better on how to function a T20 side than the PCB wastemans.

And rizwan won us the only game in New Zealand. Thankfully PCB has more sense then KK.

 

[Rana]

And rizwan won us the only game in New Zealand. Thankfully PCB has more sense then KK.

I think the whole world is witness to PCB’s management blunders and their trust in the wrong talent scouts right now.

It took Rizwan 100 chances to score something substantial. Give that to anyone and they will do something that might give them a long rope as well.

 

[Khan12]

I think the whole world is witness to PCB’s management blunders and their trust in the wrong talent scouts right now.

It took Rizwan 100 chances to score something substantial. Give that to anyone and they will do something that might give them a long rope as well.

And sarfraz never played a knock like this in his whole career while other no hopes like Zeeshan Ashraf cant even do it in domestics.

 

[hitthestump]

What's a successful relegation request?

 

[UzmanBeast]

Karachi Kings have a lot of holes in the squad given that they released some pretty good players.

Assuming that the retained players play every game, the team would look like:

Babar Azam
Sharjeel Khan
Colin Ingram
-
-
-
Imad Wasim (c)
Aamir Yamin
Mohammad Amir
Arshad Iqbal
-

They need another good quick, from the auction, I'd say go for Hasan Ali as a first choice, and if he gets taken, go for Sheldon Cottrell. If they get neither, they should go for someone like Usman Shinwari or another local quick. Amad Butt might also not be a bad pick, but they already have Yamin, so it's fine.

Secondly, they need a good spinner. Usama Mir was not good enough, and Imad can't hold the front himself. They should go for Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, or Mujeeb if they can. Either will suffice. If they are unavailable, they should try to get a local spinner, or a youngster like Umer Khan or Abrar Ahmed.

Next, they need a wicket-keeper. I see Zeeshan Ashraf as a great option for Karachi Kings to explore, and they should look to get him.

They also need two middle order batsmen, one has to be a finisher whereas the other has to be reliable. Dawid Malan probably won't be available, and the dilemma appears as they will have to try and get a platinum player like David Miller. However, if they go for that, they might not get another platinum player which they truly need being a spinner.

Karachi Kings should try and get Abdullah Shafique if they can, or another batsman of the sort.

If everything goes well, the team could look like:

Babar Azam
Sharjeel Khan
Abdullah Shafique
Colin Ingram
Zeeshan Ashraf
David Miller
Imad Wasim
Mohammad Nabi/Rashid Khan/Mujeeb
Aamir Yamin/Arshad Iqbal
Hasan Ali/Usman Shinwari
Mohammad Amir

That would be a tournament winning team in my opinion.

 

[Salman4.]

Karachi Kings have a lot of holes in the squad given that they released some pretty good players.

Assuming that the retained players play every game, the team would look like:

Babar Azam
Sharjeel Khan
Colin Ingram
-
-
-
Imad Wasim (c)
Aamir Yamin
Mohammad Amir
Arshad Iqbal
-

They need another good quick, from the auction, I'd say go for Hasan Ali as a first choice, and if he gets taken, go for Sheldon Cottrell. If they get neither, they should go for someone like Usman Shinwari or another local quick. Amad Butt might also not be a bad pick, but they already have Yamin, so it's fine.

Secondly, they need a good spinner. Usama Mir was not good enough, and Imad can't hold the front himself. They should go for Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, or Mujeeb if they can. Either will suffice. If they are unavailable, they should try to get a local spinner, or a youngster like Umer Khan or Abrar Ahmed.

Next, they need a wicket-keeper. I see Zeeshan Ashraf as a great option for Karachi Kings to explore, and they should look to get him.

They also need two middle order batsmen, one has to be a finisher whereas the other has to be reliable. Dawid Malan probably won't be available, and the dilemma appears as they will have to try and get a platinum player like David Miller. However, if they go for that, they might not get another platinum player which they truly need being a spinner.

Karachi Kings should try and get Abdullah Shafique if they can, or another batsman of the sort.

If everything goes well, the team could look like:

Babar Azam
Sharjeel Khan
Abdullah Shafique
Colin Ingram
Zeeshan Ashraf
David Miller
Imad Wasim
Mohammad Nabi/Rashid Khan/Mujeeb
Aamir Yamin/Arshad Iqbal
Hasan Ali/Usman Shinwari
Mohammad Amir

That would be a tournament winning team in my opinion.

Imagine Sharjeel gets out early. Abdullah and Babar saving the team with a partnership of 135 off 110 balls.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Imagine Sharjeel gets out early. Abdullah and Babar saving the team with a partnership of 135 off 110 balls.

Babar’s average score is 50(35) these days. Abdullah is 50(39)

Likely partnership will be 100(74).

Assuming Sharjeel is out for 5(3), the score will be 105-3 in 77 balls with 43 balls to go.

To get to a comfortable score of 190, the rest of the team will need to smash 85(43) at a SR of 200.

This is unreasonable, that’s why you never play more than one anchor in T20 cricket. With Babar anchoring the innings, Karachi should pack the rest of the order with big hitters. Abdullah would not be a good pick. Also consider that even the bowlers can bat (Imad, Amir) so there is lots of depth, so two anchors is not needed.

Also, Hassan is likely to get picked before it is Karachi’s turn. They already have 3 pacers anyways.

Here’s a better team:

1. Babar Azam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Chris Gayle
4. Colin Ingram
5. Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)
6. Imad Wasim (c)
7. Aamir Yamin
8. Rashid Khan
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Waqas Maqsood
11. Arshad Iqbal [E]

If they can’t secure Zeeshan, they can go for Rohail or use the fourth overseas pick on Banton or Walton. Worst, worst case they can go for Mohammad Haris.

They should focus on Rashid Khan or Mujeeb ur Rahman for their first platinum pick, whoever is available. Gayle or another destructive bat should be their second platinum pick, with the wicket keeper left for the third platinum or first gold pick.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Edit: they have 4 pacers already including Aamer Yamin.

 

[alirabbi1129]

I think that they will be looking to get Klassen as a Diamond pick because he is a keeper as well along with a Hard hitting all-rounder like Nabi or Braithwaite.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Babar’s average score is 50(35) these days. Abdullah is 50(39)

Likely partnership will be 100(74).

Assuming Sharjeel is out for 5(3), the score will be 105-3 in 77 balls with 43 balls to go.

To get to a comfortable score of 190, the rest of the team will need to smash 85(43) at a SR of 200.

This is unreasonable, that’s why you never play more than one anchor in T20 cricket. With Babar anchoring the innings, Karachi should pack the rest of the order with big hitters. Abdullah would not be a good pick. Also consider that even the bowlers can bat (Imad, Amir) so there is lots of depth, so two anchors is not needed.

Also, Hassan is likely to get picked before it is Karachi’s turn. They already have 3 pacers anyways.

Here’s a better team:

1. Babar Azam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Chris Gayle
4. Colin Ingram
5. Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)
6. Imad Wasim (c)
7. Aamir Yamin
8. Rashid Khan
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Waqas Maqsood
11. Arshad Iqbal [E]

If they can’t secure Zeeshan, they can go for Rohail or use the fourth overseas pick on Banton or Walton. Worst, worst case they can go for Mohammad Haris.

They should focus on Rashid Khan or Mujeeb ur Rahman for their first platinum pick, whoever is available. Gayle or another destructive bat should be their second platinum pick, with the wicket keeper left for the third platinum or first gold pick.

Good squad, but the fast bowling looks weak IMO.

If they can get someone like Hasan Ali, it will be really good.

Hopefully Rashid Khan is available for the full edition.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Good squad, but the fast bowling looks weak IMO.

If they can get someone like Hasan Ali, it will be really good.

Hopefully Rashid Khan is available for the full edition.

I don’t think the fast bowling is that weak. Waqas is in good form and Amir should do as is expected of him. It’s not like there are Bumrahs and Rabadas available, the only good foreign pacer is Chris Jordan. The bigger holes are in the batting unit, otherwise I think they have a fantastic bowling unit if they get one top class spinner. Aamer Yamin and Amir to take the new ball with Imad, while Waqas, Arshad are great in the middle overs. Amir and Arshad to take the death.

They won’t be able to get Hassan Ali. Look at the draft order.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Just checked, Karachi have already used all 3 platinum picks. That means they’re going to be left with the platinum leftovers and gold picks, which is a horrible position to be in. They don’t look to be in a position to get Gayle, Rashid, Mujeeb, Hassan, Banton, or any major player unless they are left over by the other teams.

 

[Major]

Surprised with the rizwan move.

The guy has performed. Proved himself.

It seems imad waseem is very insecure, and probably doesnt want someone else taking over the captaincy

Babar has to be kept cause you cant be in the bad books of your national captain.

 

[Firebat]

Karachi are probably gonna finish this draft with the weakest team. All the Platinum stars going everywhere else

 

[Firebat]

First pick of the Diamond round, Karachi go with Mohammad Nabi.

 

[Firebat]

Their second Diamond round pick, Karachi go with Dan Christian

 

[Firebat]

Karachi pick Chadwick Walton once again

 

[Rana]

Karachi pick Chadwick Walton once again

Bizare!

 

[Firebat]

Karachi take Englishman Joe Clarke as their first Silver round pick, Imad Wasim's Nottinghamshire's teammate

 

[Firebat]

Karachi take Danish Aziz

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Karachi finally have a player from Karachi.

 

[Firebat]

Mohammad Ilyas moves to the defending champions

 

[Firebat]

Zeeshan Malik picked by Karachi

 

[Firebat]

Karachi's only Emerging pick is Qasim Akram

 

[Firebat]

Karachi pick 16 year old Noor Ahmad from Afghanistan in the Supplementary category

 

[Firebat]

Final Squad:

 

[Thunderbolt14]

1. Babar Azam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Zeeshan Malik
4. Colin Ingram
5. Chadwick Walton (wk)
6. Imad Wasim (c)
7. Aamir Yamin / Danish Aziz
8. Mohammad Nabi
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Waqas Maqsood
11. Arshad Iqbal / Mohammad Ilyas [E]

Permanently Benched: Joe Clarke, Dan Christian, Noor Ahmad

 

[UzmanBeast]

The KK Squad looks like:

Imad Wasim (c)
Babar Azam
Mohammad Amir
Sharjeel Khan
Colin Ingram
Amir Yamin
Waqas Maqsood
Arshad Iqbal
Mohammad Nabi
Dan Christian
Chadwick Walton
Joe Clarke
Danish Aziz
Mohammad Ilyas
Zeeshan Malik
Qasim Akram
Noor Ahmad

The issue is that they have an overseas keeper who isn't a very good batsman.

When making a team, the combination would look like:

Babar Azam
Sharjeel Khan
Colin Ingram *
Zeeshan Malik
Danish Aziz
Chadwick Walton (wk)*
Mohammad Nabi *
Imad Wasim (c)
Mohammad Amir
Amir Yamin
Mohammad Ilyas/Arshad Iqbal

It looks like a good batting lineup but the bowling looks weak in my opinion. Someone like Shinwari could have made it look better, because neither Arshad nor Ilyas can play the containment role in the middle overs. There's no tall pacer either. Maybe someone like Amir Yamin will provide the much needed stability in the middle overs.

Another area of concern is the new ball pair. Both Nabi and Imad are spinners who take the new ball, so how Imad uses Nabi will be crucial. Imad is economical whilst Nabi takes wickets, and only one can operate at a time because a spinner is needed in the middle overs. Amir should be maximized at the death, so the role of Yamin in the team becomes bigger as a new ball bowler. I like the squad, and especially the inclusion of Danish Aziz and Zeeshan Malik. Hope that both get opportunities and perform.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Should have picked Laurie Evans instead of Joe Clarke.

 

[alirabbi1129]

Joe Clarke was the Vitality blast player of the tournament 2020 and is also a wicket keeper as well. So could easily replace Walton in the team.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

1. BABAR AZAM
2. SHARJEEL KHAN
3. ZEESHAN MALIK
4. COLIN INGRAM
5. JOE CLARKE (wk)
6. IMAD WASIM (c)
7. MOHAMMAD NABI
8. DAN CHRISTIAN/AAMER YAMIN
9. MOHAMMAD AMIR
10. WAQAS MAQSOOD
11. ARSHAD IQBAL

 

[hitthestump]

My hypothetical money is on KK to win this again

 

[Saj]

Karachi Kings’ Cricket Director – Wasim Akram: “I am very pleased with the way the Draft went as we picked almost all the players we wanted to. The thought was to have a balanced side and try to cover all bases with players who are good finishers. Overall, I am very happy with the players we have roped in and I am confident we will be a formidable side in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021.”

 

[Titan24]

1. Babar Azam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Zeeshan Malik
4. Colin Ingram
5. Joe Clarke/ Chad Walton (WK)
6. Mohammad Nabi / Dan Christian
7. Aamir Yamin/Dan Christian / Danish Aziz/ Qasim Akram (E)
8. Imad Wasim (C)
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Arshad Iqbal (E)/ Waqas Maqsood
11. Maqsood/ Ilyas/ Noor Ahmed

 

[b.lesner]

Heinrich Klassen was miles better than Walton check his record in t20 and odi

 

[TeymurBlake]

Karachi Kings Line-up imo should be:

1. Zeeshan Malik
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Babar Azam
4. Chadwick Walton (F) (WK)
5. Colin Ingram (F)
6. Mohammad Nabi (F)
7. Dan Christian (F)
8. Imad Wasim (C)
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Mohammad Ilyas
11. Arshad Iqbal (E)

I would like to see Danish Aziz, Aamir Yamin and Joe Clarke get some games if possible.

 

[Saj]

What's a successful relegation request?

Where a player/franchise request someone's category to be lowered.

 

[Saj]

Hales is a big loss I reckon.

Match-winning batsman and very good fielder.

 

[Rana]

Hales is a big loss I reckon.

Match-winning batsman and very good fielder.

Very strange trade deal

 

[Ahson8]

Whilst they dont have a keeper, it is surprising to see considering the strong lobby Rizwan has these days for KK not to retain him.

Seems like the champions of Pakistan's premier T20 competition know better on how to function a T20 side than the PCB wastemans.

Bro, Rizwan is a terrific test player and whilst I am not convinced about him in T20s, its frankly insulting to call him that considering he won us our last T20

Surprised with the rizwan move.

The guy has performed. Proved himself.

It seems imad waseem is very insecure, and probably doesnt want someone else taking over the captaincy

Babar has to be kept cause you cant be in the bad books of your national captain.

Nothing surprising about it, Rizwan has only performed in the top order and KK's top-order is packed. Rizwan couldn't do anything in the lower order for KK in last 2-3 seasons so its only for the benefit of both Rizwan and the Kings for him to move on to another franchise.

 

[shamaan]

sharjeel khan
Zeeshan Malik
Babar azam
Ingram
Walton
Nabi
Danish aziz
Imad Wasim
Yamin
Amir
Arshad iqbal

 

[The Viper]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mickey Arthur "I am convinced that Karachi Kings have the ability to retain the PSL title this year. In Babar Azam they’ve got one of the world’s best Twenty20 batsmen and I still think that they’ve got one of the world’s best white-ball bowlers in Mohammad Amir" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL6?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL6</a> <a href="https://t.co/JEH8tljUBx">pic.twitter.com/JEH8tljUBx</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1350480067172954112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Young all-rounder Abbas Afridi who featured in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020, has been added in the Karachi Kings squad for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021 that begins at the National Stadium Karachi on February 20.

Kings, the defending champions, had reserved their 18th pick at the Players Draft that was held in Lahore last month. Kings have now chosen Abbas as their 18th player and the 19-year-old would be a part of the Kings squad for the season.

Abbas was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan U19 in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, he took nine wickets in five matches.

Abbas represented Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the 2020-21 domestic season.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Who?

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Ok

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

But why is he classed as an all rounder?

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

It’s funny though. They were supposed to pick a player from their talent hunt program, or so I heard, and went with a player scouted by the PCB and not KK at the under 19 level. While I’m happy for them picking players from Pak u19s I’m also a bit angry at the fact that KK have only used their talent hunt program in the half hearted, gimmicky, way where their goal is not to unearth new talent but to just make nothing more than a few headlines for their tv channel.

 

[MenInG]

KK players and staff arrival

Noor Ahmed and Chadwick Walton

 

[MenInG]

Colin Ingram and Herschelle Gibbs

 

[MenInG]

Assistant coach Dougie Brown

 

[Hitman]

Joe Clarke

 

[MenInG]

Karachi Kings keen to hold onto the title

Lahore, 15 February 2021:

Past finishes:

2016: Lost in first eliminator - 4th
2017: Lost in second qualifier - 3rd
2018: Lost in second eliminator - 3rd
2019: Lost in first eliminator - 4th
2020: Winners

Last year was a tough one for everyone. Not just because of the global pandemic, but also because of some personal tragedies, which affected many. Karachi Kings will enter the HBL Pakistan Super League with a lot of memories of the past edition. Apart from the success in the split event, they lost their much loved head coach Dean Jones, who passed away just a couple of months before the finals.

Deano, as he was popularly known, had made an instant impact as the head coach and was liked by one and all. It was Jones’ impact that took the side to the second place on the points table, before Covid-19 forced an abrupt closure last year.

No wonder when the play-offs for the league were played in November 2020, the Kings had a simple mission: WIN IT FOR DEANO. A huge cardboard cutout photo of Jones was right next to their dugout throughout the course of the playoffs in Karachi. The entire squad was emotional as they kept remembering the lovable head coach, Jones.

The 2020 final saw Karachi Kings beat arch-rival Lahore Qalandars by five wickets, sparking a wave of celebration across the metropolis so anxiously waiting for the title.

One of South Africa’s best white-ball openers Herschelle Gibbs is now their new head coach, while legendary Pakistan paceman and ex-captain Wasim Akram remains the soul of the back room staff as Director of Cricket.

Karachi Kings have a very balanced squad for HBL PSL 2021 with a good mix of experience and youth. The top-order will once again be dominated by the likes of world’s leading Twenty20 batsman Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan.

Ahead of the 2021 edition, Karachi Kings retained captain Imad Wasim, Babar Azam and ace pacer Mohammad Amir. England’s much sought after short form opener Alex Hales was traded to bring back South Africa’s Colin Ingram from Islamabad United, a move that will give them solidity in the middle-order. Ingram still holds the record for the highest score in a PSL match, 127 not out he scored against Quetta at Sharjah in 2019.

Then, the other player to look out for will be England's Joe Clarke, who hit the joint most sixes (22) in Twenty20 blast in England last year. All-rounder Dan Christian, who is one of the most decorated Twenty20 players in the world, has also been pulled in. Both Clarke and Christian have come in on the recommendation of captain Wasim who were both his teammates during Nottinghamshire’s T20 Blast title triumph. Christian was also part of Sydney Sixers’ victorious campaign in the recently concluded Big Bash in Australia.

Afghanistan's all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who has made a name for himself with both his aggressive batting and bowling in various T20 leagues around the world, is also in the mix.

Adding the Caribbean flavour to the line-up will be Chadwick Walton, who can keep wickets and strike big. Fast-rising Karachiite Danish Aziz has proved to be an effective finisher at domestic level. All these players will bolster the power-hitting lower down the order for the defending champion.

The player to watch out for, though, will be young 18-year-old Qasim Akram who impressed with his batting and off-spin during the domestic Pakistan T20 Cup. He is accurate as a bowler and dominating as a batsman, thereby highlighting his enormous talent.

The pace attack as always will be led by the super talented Amir, alongside another quality left-armer in Waqas Maqsood, and under19 paceman Arshad Iqbal. Incidentally, Iqbal was recently described as the most improved fast bowler in Pakistan by none other than the legendary Wasim Akram who has seen the rise under his eyes.

Wasim has also spoken highly of Abbas Afridi, another one from Pakistan's under19 stock and Mohammad Ilyas. It is this young pace attack that has made the Pakistan's legend excited and he is gearing to hone these talents under his wings during the 2021 edition of PSL.

Squad: Imad Wasim (captain), Aamer Yamin, Arshad Iqbal, Babar Azam, Chadwick Walton, Colin Ingram, Dan Christian, Danish Aziz, Joe Clarke, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Ilyas, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed, Sharjeel Khan, Qasim Akram, Waqas Maqsood and Zeeshan Malik.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Without Nabi, they don't really have someone to cover the spin base that well.

As the tournament goes on, the pitches will entertain lower scores and the ball will break well.

Should have kept Umer Khan or Abrar Ahmed, would have proved useful.

 

[shamaan]

Without Nabi, they don't really have someone to cover the spin base that well.

As the tournament goes on, the pitches will entertain lower scores and the ball will break well.

Should have kept Umer Khan or Abrar Ahmed, would have proved useful.

They have qasim akram and imad wasim who can do a job with both bat and bowl also danish can bowl abit but may not get into the team

 

[UzmanBeast]

They have qasim akram and imad wasim who can do a job with both bat and bowl also danish can bowl abit but may not get into the team

Qasim and Imad are all-rounder level spinners. They can easily be targeted and will concede runs as they don't spin the ball much.

Their spin department is lacking to say the least.

 

[shamaan]

Qasim and Imad are all-rounder level spinners. They can easily be targeted and will concede runs as they don't spin the ball much.

Their spin department is lacking to say the least.

Defonitely lacking but they strong on the all rounders apart and top order looks good enough

 

[UzmanBeast]

Defonitely lacking but they strong on the all rounders apart and top order looks good enough

My prediction is that the pitches will only get better for spinners as the tournament goes on.

If that holds true, KK will be in some trouble.

 

[UzmanBeast]

KK is definitely lacking in the spin department, though they got some pretty good domestic batsmen from the draft.

I'd make the team combination like this:

Babar Azam
Sharjeel Khan
Colin Ingram (overseas)
Zeeshan Malik
Danish Aziz
Chadwick Walton (overseas)
Imad Wasim
Qasim Akram
Aamer Yamin
Mohammad Amir
Arshad Iqbal

That is accounting for the later matches where Nabi isn't available. However, Imad knows that his spot on the national team is at risk, so I'd expect him to come and bat at 6.

Imad will have to bowl his full quota of overs, and Qasim Akram will have to roll his arm over too.

 

[yadunoe]

peshawar will win again inshallah

 

[shamaan]

My xi would be

Babar
Sharjeel
Zeeshan malik
Ingram (overseas)
Qasim akram
Walton (overseas)
Imad wasim
Yamin
Nabi (overseas)
Amir
Arshad iqbal


I dont think danish aziz will start but may get chances later on in the tournament.qasim akram is a defonite starter taking the Emerging category spot

 

[shamaan]

My prediction is that the pitches will only get better for spinners as the tournament goes on.

If that holds true, KK will be in some trouble.

I stil think they will get to semi and also thier pakistani youngesters are better than the overseas pick

 

[UzmanBeast]

I stil think they will get to semi and also thier pakistani youngesters are better than the overseas pick

Their youngsters are good, I agree with that.

Qasim Akram, Arshad Iqbal, and Mohammad Ilyas are all pretty good.

Danish Aziz and Zeeshan Malik were good picks too.

 

[shamaan]

Their youngsters are good, I agree with that.

Qasim Akram, Arshad Iqbal, and Mohammad Ilyas are all pretty good.

Danish Aziz and Zeeshan Malik were good picks too.

Hopefully some of them get a run in the team

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Their youngsters are good, I agree with that.

Qasim Akram, Arshad Iqbal, and Mohammad Ilyas are all pretty good.

Danish Aziz and Zeeshan Malik were good picks too.

I think the issue is the youngsters are all “pretty good” but not great. A good franchise will have youngsters coming through that can transition into the core setup and be proper matchwinners for 10+ years.

In this respect, Zalmi has hold of Haider Ali and Abrar Ahmed, Islamabad has hold of Rohail Nazir (equivalent in value with the bat to Qasim Akram but a specialist keeper too), and Shadab Khan, Lahore has Shaheen, and Quetta has Saim Ayub and Aarish Ali Khan.

All of these guys, let me tell you, are higher quality than the likes of Qasim Akram, Arshad Iqbal, Danish Aziz, and Zeeshan Malik. An exception might be Mohammad Ilyas.

In other words, Karachi doesn’t have a single “standout” player under the age of 25 — just a big number of good options.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I think the issue is the youngsters are all “pretty good” but not great. A good franchise will have youngsters coming through that can transition into the core setup and be proper matchwinners for 10+ years.

In this respect, Zalmi has hold of Haider Ali and Abrar Ahmed, Islamabad has hold of Rohail Nazir (equivalent in value with the bat to Qasim Akram but a specialist keeper too), and Shadab Khan, Lahore has Shaheen, and Quetta has Saim Ayub and Aarish Ali Khan.

All of these guys, let me tell you, are higher quality than the likes of Qasim Akram, Arshad Iqbal, Danish Aziz, and Zeeshan Malik. An exception might be Mohammad Ilyas.

In other words, Karachi doesn’t have a single “standout” player under the age of 25 — just a big number of good options.

True, all valid points.

However, Karachi has the luxury of being able to experiment with their squad.

They can also play players depending on form, and some of their players are developing well like Arshad.

Wasim Akram has some good quicks to work with.

Zeeshan Malik, Qasim Akram, and Danish Aziz are good considering the current domestic system, though only one will come good for KK IMO.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Hopefully some of them get a run in the team

Qasim won't play if Arshad plays.

Inad will push himself up the order to make runs and justify selection for the national team. He will also bowl more.

Realistically, only one of Danish or Zeeshan will play, unless Ingram gets injured.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

True, all valid points.

However, Karachi has the luxury of being able to experiment with their squad.

They can also play players depending on form, and some of their players are developing well like Arshad.

Wasim Akram has some good quicks to work with.

Zeeshan Malik, Qasim Akram, and Danish Aziz are good considering the current domestic system, though only one will come good for KK IMO.

Wasim Akram barely works with any quicks these days. Some rubbish chats in the morning about line and length don’t count. I also feel Arshad Iqbal is good but overrated. If he was 3 inches shorter, no one would give him any bother. M Ilyas has potential despite being exceedingly short. He’s smart and accurate. But short.

From the batsmen, you’re right that only one will come good. Qasim Akram will be that person, even though I don’t particularly rate him. Mark this post.

 

[shamaan]

Wasim Akram barely works with any quicks these days. Some rubbish chats in the morning about line and length don’t count. I also feel Arshad Iqbal is good but overrated. If he was 3 inches shorter, no one would give him any bother. M Ilyas has potential despite being exceedingly short. He’s smart and accurate. But short.

From the batsmen, you’re right that only one will come good. Qasim Akram will be that person, even though I don’t particularly rate him. Mark this post.

Give zeeshan malik a chance in the top 3 and he will come good

 

[shamaan]

Qasim won't play if Arshad plays.

Inad will push himself up the order to make runs and justify selection for the national team. He will also bowl more.

Realistically, only one of Danish or Zeeshan will play, unless Ingram gets injured.

Personally i will go with zeeshan malik at 3 and ingram at 4 but i think they may go with Danish due to him being able to bowl