PSL 7 Preview: Karachi Kings – Could a new captain in Babar Azam make a difference?
Many thanks to [MENTION=142432]Titan24[/MENTION] for this write up.
The champions of PSL in 2020, Karachi Kings had a rather off season overall in 2021 where their overall combination and use of emerging players left a lot to be desired.
In 2022, they have replaced Herschelle Gibbs who was their coach for one season with a very highly rated English coach in Peter Moores. We are now, to the relief of many, going to see Pakistan’s national captain, captaining a side in PSL with the appointment of Babar Azam. The combination of Peter Moores and Babar Azam could well become one of the most important significant events in the history of Karachi Kings.
When we talk about the team there seems to be a couple of things one can notices straight away. One is the lack of experienced middle-order batsmen with a dependence on all-rounders to do the job.
With a rather top-heavy but excellent batting order consisting of Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan and Joe Clarke, we see quite a few all-rounders and there is a distinct lack of experienced middle order batsmen with only options being the emerging player Mohammad Talha or initially ignored best domestic player of the 2021 season Sahibzada Farhan who showed his capability in the middle-order this domestic season.
From the looks of it, Karachi’s combination would be highly dependent upon all-rounders like Mohammad Nabi, Lewis Gregory, Imad Wasim or Aamer Yamin/ Tom Lammonby (the recently recruited batting all-rounder from England) for the middle order.
Second thing that one notices is the lack of pace in the pace bowling power available to the Kings. We don’t see any speed demon in the squad who can touch mid 140kph, the current leader in the form of Mohammad Amir currently operates in mid-130 kph range, which is the same case with Umaid Asif.
The only bright spark in this sense is the presence of the younger bowlers like Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Ilyas who can touch high 130Kphs and just about reach 140 Kph. Chris Jordan might have to miss initial few matches but, can add some pace and experience when he joins the unit. Romario Shepherd could well have provided some extra zip but, but unfortunately, he will not be available for Kings due to international commitments.
Unless Babar Azam and Peter Moores can form a combination and create a positive team atmosphere from the very start and utilize to the fullest the skills of local as well as emerging players well, this could well be another tough season for the Karachi Kings.
Key players: Babar Azam, Joe Clarke, Sharjeel Khan, Lewis Gregory, Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Amir.
Strength: Variety of all rounders
Weakness: Lack of experience in the middle and high reliance on all-rounders along with lack of pace in the setup to provide something extra in the middle overs
Full Squad:
Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Amir, Joe Clarke, Sharjeel Khan, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Ilyas, Chris Jordan, Lewis Gregory, Umaid Asif, Tom Abell (injured, replaced by Ian Cockbain), Rohail Nazir, Muhammad Imran, Faisal Akram, Qasim Akram, Talha Ahsan, Romario Shepherd (unvailable, replaced by Tom Lammonby)
Supplementary round: Sahibzada Farhan, Jordan Thompson
Partial replacement: Mohammad Taha Khan
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