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[PICTURE] Karachi Kings PSL 11 | Squad and Discussion Thread

The Bald Eagle

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So Karachi fans, how do you rate the chances of KK to lift the trophy this time??
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*Karachi Kings Bolster Squad with Star Power at Historic First-Ever HBL PSL Player Auction*

LAHORE, 11 February 2026:

Following the conclusion of the first-ever HBL PSL Player Auction, Karachi Kings have emerged with a formidable 18-player roster designed for a title charge in the upcoming HBL PSL 11.

In one of the most anticipated moves of the evening, legendary Australian left-hander David Warner is set to rejoin the Karachi Kings. After being released into the auction pool, the Kings secured their former skipper with a winning bid of PKR 7.9 crore.

Joining Warner in the batting order is the explosive Azam Khan, who makes his move to the Kings for the first time following a 3.25 crore bid. The franchise further strengthened its local core by securing Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha for 5.85 crores, adding significant leadership and middle-order stability to the lineup.

The Kings’ strategy at the auction table also focused heavily on world-class spin, pace, and batting firepower. The elite Australian leg-spinner is set to make his HBL PSL debut after being snapped up for 4.5 crores. The Caribbean powerhouse was secured for 2 crores to add top-order fireworks.

The franchise brought in seasoned pacer Mir Hamza (2.4 crore) and speedster Ihsanullah (1.05 crores) to complement their retained bowling attack.

*Karachi Kings Final Roster for HBL PSL 11*

Direct Signing: Moeen Ali (6.44 crore)
Retained: Hasan Ali (4.76 crore), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (3.08 crore), Khushdil Shah (3.36 crore), Saad Baig (60 lac).
Auction Picks - Overseas: David Warner (7.9 crore), Adam Zampa (4.5 crore), Johnson Charles (2 crore), Muhammad Waseem (1.1 crore), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (90 lac)
Auction Picks - Local: Salman Ali Agha (5.85 crore), Azam Khan (3.25 crore), Mir Hamza (2.4 crore), Ihsanullah (1.05 crore), Shahid Aziz (92.5 lac), Hamza Sohail (62.5 lac), Aqib Ilyas (60 lac), Rizwanullah (60 lac)


The HBL PSL 11 season is scheduled to run from 26 March to 3 May.

 
Best XI

1. Warner *
2. Waseem *
3. Agha
4. Saad
5. Azam (WK)
6. Moeen *
7. Khushdil
8. Abbas
9. Hasan
10. Zampa *
11. Mir Hamza
 
I couldn't believe they got Zampa so cheap. Fantastic pick.

The rest... meh. A team that is just so meh & boring. Blew so much budget getting dudes like Warner/Moeen/Agha which is just so unexciting. Should be decent, maybe good enough to make playoffs but they don't look like true contenders.
 
Hopefully Agha captains. Bit disappointed he wasn’t captaining one of the new teams. But given Warner is there that isn’t a given.

Also given how terrible this franchise has been over history not sure I want another Pakistani captain managing it. I’d rather Agha manage another team but if it has to be Karachi than so be it. But I guess they have been better in recent past and less feuding.
 
Moeen is well past his due date. Made good selections last year. Apart from Warner and Zampa, this year is meh.
 
Best thing they did was bring in Zampa... He will carry their whole bowling lineup here.. Other than that, I cannot see that much fire in their bowing.
 
Karachi is my city but not supporting them this year as they have invested in Azam Khan.
 
Rizwan ullah seems like a fascinating prospect. A tall pacer and his bowling action seems very similar to Ihsanullah. Fitting both of them are in the squad. It doesn't seem like he has played domestic yet but seems to be quite young.

Karachi did also find an interesting quick bowler in Fawad Ali last year as well who was bowling 140+ with no domestic experience. Kinda seems like they have improved their scouting a bit to unearth some potential hidden gems.

I do find it annoying PSL has to do the leg work to find these unknown players while domestic selectors are doing what, exactly?
 
I couldn't believe they got Zampa so cheap. Fantastic pick.

The rest... meh. A team that is just so meh & boring. Blew so much budget getting dudes like Warner/Moeen/Agha which is just so unexciting. Should be decent, maybe good enough to make playoffs but they don't look like true contenders.
zampa is not cheap...he will get 12 crore rest will be given by pcb.... similarly warner also will get 12 crore
 
Well, where to begin when it comes to Karachi. There is such a lack of batters in this team, is staggering.

1. David Warner (C)(O)
2. Mohammad Waseem (O)
3. Agha Ali Salman
4. Johnson Charles (O)
5. Saad Baig (WK)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. NO IDEA....
8. Shahid Aziz
9. Abbas Afridi
10. Hasan Ali
11. Adam Zampa (O)

This was super difficult to craft a decent line up with. There is such a lack of middle order batters.
 
Well, where to begin when it comes to Karachi. There is such a lack of batters in this team, is staggering.

1. David Warner (C)(O)
2. Mohammad Waseem (O)
3. Agha Ali Salman
4. Johnson Charles (O)
5. Saad Baig (WK)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. NO IDEA....
8. Shahid Aziz
9. Abbas Afridi
10. Hasan Ali
11. Adam Zampa (O)

This was super difficult to craft a decent line up with. There is such a lack of middle order batters.
Moeen will play in place of Charles in the middle order.
 
They can play 7 batters as khushdil, moeen, agha can easily give them 5 6 overs or even more
 
Warner
Waseem/Charles
Agha
Moeen
Azam
Khushdil
Idk
Abbas
Shahid
Hassan
Zampa


Good team tbh. Just question mark on moeen, azam and charles if they can fire
 
1. David Warner (c)
2. Mohammad Waseem
3. Salman Ali Agha
4. Saad Baig
5. Khushdil Shah
6. Moeen Ali
7. Azam Khan (wk)
8. Shahid Aziz
9. Abbas Afridi
10. Hasan Ali
11. Adam Zampa
 
*Karachi Kings Sign Local Player Haroon Arshad*

*Karachi, 22 March 2026*

Karachi, Pakistan - Karachi Kings have announced the signing of right handed batter Haroon Arshad for HBL Pakistan Super League Season 11.

Haroon was most recently applying his craft in the National T20 Cup for Karachi Whites. He has featured in just 4 T20s in his young career where he averages 61 striking at 125 plus. Haroon is a local boy who is brimming with potential, and Karachi Kings are excited to add him to their roster.

Karachi Kings will kick off their HBL PSL 11 campaign on March 27, 2026, in Lahore, facing Quetta Gladiators in their first match.
 
David Warner Confident New Additions Will Strengthen Karachi Kings for HBL PSL 11

Karachi Kings captain David Warner expressed confidence in his side’s preparations and squad strength ahead of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, vowing to build on last season’s performance and push beyond the playoffs.


Speaking at the pre-tournament captains’ press conference in Lahore, Warner highlighted the importance of continuity while also welcoming the new additions to the squad.

“It’s always great to have players like Adam Zampa and Salman Ali Agha in our group,” Warner said.

“For us, it’s about trying to replicate what we did well last year and then improve on areas where we fell short. Hopefully, we can do better this season and go beyond the playoffs.”

Warner also expressed satisfaction with the squad assembled during the player auction, backing his side to compete strongly in the expanded eight-team tournament.

“We’ve got a really good group of players, and I think we did a great job at the auction. We’re ready to compete against the best teams,” he added with a smile.

Karachi Kings had an encouraging campaign in HBL PSL 10, where Warner led from the front with the bat, scoring 368 runs in 11 innings at an average of 33.45 and an impressive strike rate of 153.97.

Addressing questions about his fitness at the age of 39, David Warner dismissed any concerns, underlining his commitment to maintaining peak physical condition.

“Look, at 39, I’m extremely fit, probably fitter than most people my age playing this game,” he said.

“It’s all about maintaining a healthy diet, training hard, and putting in the work on the field. Hopefully, I can score good runs again and put the team in strong positions.”

 
So Salman Agha captains Pakistan T20 team, but is not allowed to captain KK. May be KK mgmt and Salman Iqnal have more sanity than Mohsin Naqvi. May be KK more importance/ambitious than Pakistan T20 team

BTW SKY captains for IND & MI.

@BouncerGuy @RidiculousMan @GudduBadmash
Obviously, they are not insane. They know that Salman is not even deserving to be in a T20 side, so how can they make him captain....

PCB is clueless, but these franchises are not.
 
All of this about Agha being Pakistan captain but not a PSL captain is useless

Your PSL captains are Babar and Rizwan to begin with.

2 of the biggest frauds in white ball cricket history!

First get your own house in order before pointing fingers at others instead of this bh…giri
 
Thick heads unable to grasp it , Agha is not good enough to captain a franchise but he is being Pakistan team captain. Surely either KK mgmt is fool or those at helm of PCB are idiots.

How does this links RizBar ???
 
Thick heads unable to grasp it , Agha is not good enough to captain a franchise but he is being Pakistan team captain. Surely either KK mgmt is fool or those at helm of PCB are idiots.

How does this links RizBar ???
You and your kind have no right or need to grasp anything or ask any questions considering your entire narrative is based upon defending two of the greatest conmen in T20 history.

Just be quiet and enjoy the show.
 
Thick heads unable to grasp it , Agha is not good enough to captain a franchise but he is being Pakistan team captain. Surely either KK mgmt is fool or those at helm of PCB are idiots.

How does this links RizBar ???
PCB usually don't want a strong captain. They like to have a captain which is more of a "YES SIR" man. In franchise cricket, it is a bit different.
 
PCB usually don't want a strong captain. They like to have a captain which is more of a "YES SIR" man. In franchise cricket, it is a bit different.
So Rizwan and Babar are strong captains?
 
David Warner Praises Moeen, Bowlers After Karachi Kings’ Strong Start
: Karachi Kings captain David Warner lauded his team’s all-round effort following a hard-fought 14-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 opener at the Gaddafi Stadium.

A composed late flourish from Moeen Ali, coupled with a match-winning four-wicket haul by Hasan Ali, helped Karachi Kings defend a competitive total of 181, restricting Quetta to 167-7 despite a strong start.

Reflecting on the innings, Warner admitted the team fell slightly short of their ideal total but credited Moeen Ali for steering the side to a strong finish.

“I think at the beginning we felt 170 was going to be around par,” Warner said. “We lost a few wickets in the middle due to some poor shot selections, including myself. But the way Moeen batted towards the back end and built that partnership to get us to a good total was fantastic.”

David Warner, who contributed 35 off 22 at the top, highlighted the impact of Karachi’s spin attack in turning the game around after Quetta’s aggressive powerplay.

“I thought our spinners operated really well through the middle overs,” he noted. “They bowled with discipline, created pressure, and we were able to pick up wickets after the powerplay, which brought us back into the game.”

The Kings skipper also backed his bowlers’ execution under pressure, particularly emphasizing the role of dot balls in shifting momentum.

“With someone like Adam Zampa, I wasn’t too concerned. It was more about how we executed our plans,” he said. “By building pressure through dot balls and limiting them to singles, we were able to create chances, and the bowlers did that brilliantly.”

Warner was full of praise for Zampa, who made his presence felt in his first outing for the franchise.

“Zampa is a great addition to our team,” he said. “Having him alongside Moeen Ali and others who can contribute with the ball gives us a lot of options, especially in the middle overs.”

Despite the high-intensity contest, Warner also touched upon the positive atmosphere within the squad.

“The energy in the group is really good,” he added. “Even in situations where the crowd isn’t as big, it’s important to keep that energy up as a team. The boys are in a great space, and we’re enjoying ourselves.”

With a winning start to their PSL 11 campaign, Karachi Kings will look to build on the momentum as they aim for a strong run in the tournament.
 
*Karachi Kings Repeat History With First 3-0 Start in 8 Years*

LAHORE 2 April 2026:

The Karachi Kings have officially turned back the clock. For the first time since 2018, the franchise has opened an HBL PSL season with three consecutive victories, repeating a feat that has eluded them for nearly a decade.

The historic moment was sealed tonight at the Gaddafi Stadium in a high-octane encounter against the Rawalpindiz. After already taking down Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars earlier in the season, the Kings faced their steepest challenge yet, successfully hunting down a massive target of 198. The middle order held their nerve, crossing the finish line with four balls to spare to secure the hat-trick of wins.

The last time the "City of Lights" enjoyed this kind of early-season dominance was during HBL PSL 3 (2018).

Now sitting comfortably at the top of the HBL PSL 11 table, the 2020 champions finally look like a clinical, transformed unit. With the tournament set to move to their home turf in Karachi next week, the momentum is firmly behind them as they look to turn this "repeat of history" into a second title.
 
Two UAE players from the Karachi Kings squad, Khuzaima Tanveer and Muhammad Wasim, have been recalled by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to participate in the UAE’s D50 domestic tournament.

Both players will rejoin the Kings Squad immediately after completing their domestic commitments in the UAE.

They are expected to return to the squad on 7th April and will be available for selection for Karachi Kings’ match on 9th April.

Karachi Kings management wishes both players the best of luck in their domestic tournament.
 
Karachi Kings pacer Abbas Afridi has credited consistent hard work, family guidance and a positive team environment for his continued development as he eyes a strong HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 campaign.

Speaking in an interview, Abbas reflected on his journey from age-group cricket to the PSL, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.

“I have been playing cricket for a long time, including at the U-19 level, and performed well there to reach this stage. Even now, I am working hard every day. I am grateful to Allah for where I am today.”

Abbas also spoke about the influence of his uncle, former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul, highlighting both the guidance and discipline that come with it.

“Having a Test cricketer in the family definitely helps; you learn a lot, but you also get scolded. In the last match, when I didn’t bowl well, he pointed it out and guided me on how to bowl in different situations. I often receive calls from him where he advises me and helps me improve,” he said.

The young pacer expressed his excitement about sharing the dressing room with experienced international players and learning from them.

“It’s a great experience playing under the captain David Warner and alongside players like Moeen Ali and Adam Zampa. You learn a lot from them; they guide you and share their experience.”

Abbas Afridi also acknowledged the role of team director Haider Azhar in fostering a positive and cohesive environment within the squad.

“A lot of credit goes to Haider bhai for creating such a good team environment. It really depends on how the atmosphere is within the team, and ours is very positive. InshaAllah, we will try our best to win the trophy this season.”

Discussing his all-round abilities, Abbas revealed that while his primary focus remains bowling, he is equally committed to improving his batting for crucial match situations.

“I am often told [by my uncle] to focus more on my bowling, but I also work a lot on my batting because there are situations where quick runs are needed in the final overs. So I try to give equal attention to both and be prepared for any situation.”

Looking ahead, Abbas sees the PSL as a vital platform to return to international cricket.

“PSL is a great platform for players to reach international cricket. My goal is to make a comeback to the Pakistan team through strong performances in this tournament.”

 
Karachi Kings captain David Warner remained optimistic despite his side suffering a heavy defeat against Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium.

Karachi Kings endured a challenging outing as Peshawar Zalmi posted a record 246-3, powered by a dominant 191-run partnership between Kusal Mendis (109) and Babar Azam (87*). In reply, the Kings were bowled out for 87, resulting in a 159-run defeat, their first of the HBL PSL 11 campaign.

Speaking after the match, Warner acknowledged that the team’s bowling execution fell short, particularly during the middle overs.

“I think our decision to bowl first was what we wanted to do and intended to do. But when you allow two stroke-makers time to settle and hit boundaries consistently every over, it becomes really difficult to pull things back,” Warner said at the post-match presentation.

He felt the contest was still within reach midway through the innings before a costly phase shifted the momentum decisively.

“At the 10-over mark, I thought we were still in the game, but in the next three overs, they scored around 50 to 60 runs, which is unacceptable at this level,” he added.

The Karachi Kings skipper also pointed out that while there were glimpses of positivity early on, the opposition capitalised effectively.

“In the first six overs, you’ve got to try and stay positive. A couple of good balls led to wickets, and there was also some good fielding in the outfield. But credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board.”

Reflecting on the steep chase, Warner admitted it was always going to be a difficult task against such a formidable total.

Despite the setback, David Warner remained confident in the squad’s ability to bounce back, stressing the importance of learning from the defeat.

“In tournaments like these, sometimes you need a loss like this to bring the energy back into the group. When you’ve had six or seven days off, it can take a bit of time to get back into rhythm,” he stated.

He concluded on a positive note, backing the team to regroup and respond strongly in the upcoming fixtures.

“The boys are in good spirits, we’ve got a great group, and we will take the positives. We will enjoy tomorrow off and come back stronger.”
 
Moeen Ali admitted Karachi Kings failed to adapt to conditions as they suffered a 159-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium.

Kings endured a difficult outing after Zalmi posted a commanding 246-3, powered by a record 191-run partnership between Kusal Mendis (109) and Babar Azam (87*). In response, Karachi Kings were bowled out for 87 in 16.1 overs.

Speaking after the match, Moeen Ali felt the team fell short in reading the surface and adjusting accordingly.

“The pitch was fine, we just did not play well, probably did not adapt to the conditions or wicket as much as we should have,” he stated.

Reflecting on the batting collapse during the massive chase, Moeen stressed the importance of intent in the powerplay while acknowledging the difficulty of balancing aggression with caution.

“You need to have a good start, a good power play. We needed to get off to a flying start and not lose many wickets, which is always difficult when you are playing aggressive cricket,” he said.

“Maybe we should have been a bit smarter with the run rate. But it’s still early in the tournament, winning games is the most important thing. You cannot really think too much about the run rate at this stage.”

He also credited Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling unit for executing their plans effectively.

“I thought they bowled really well. It was just a bad day in the office for us,” he further stated.

Addressing the challenge of facing high-quality pace bowling on such surfaces, Moeen acknowledged the difficulty but emphasised that it is part of the game.

“Playing express fast bowling is always difficult on any pitch,” the veteran all-rounder said.

The England all-rounder also spoke about the impact of long gaps between matches, highlighting the challenge of maintaining intensity and rhythm in tournament conditions.

“A seven-day break is quite long. It is difficult for players because we cannot really go anywhere, and it can affect rhythm,” he said.

“Having said that, we still have to be professional, train well, and perform. You can get into bad habits during long breaks, so we have to be careful. But these things can happen in cricket — we just need to come back strong in the next game.”
 
Karachi Kings Owner Salman Iqbal Stresses Importance of Strong Team Culture

Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal has emphasised the importance of team unity, leadership, and strategic squad building as key pillars behind the franchise’s approach in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.


Speaking to HBL PSL Digital, Salman Iqbal highlighted that strong relationships within the squad remain the foundation of any successful T20 side.

“The most important thing for any franchise team is strong bonding among the players,” he stated.

He praised Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa for seamlessly integrating into the squad, reflecting the team’s positive environment.

“Zampa has gelled into the team so well that it feels like he has been part of Karachi Kings for a long time. That kind of bonding is very important in a team,” he said.

Salman Iqbal also reaffirmed his confidence in captain David Warner, revealing that the decision to appoint him as leader was clear from the outset.

“We have retained David Warner as captain this season as well. When we picked him in last year’s draft, I had already decided that he would lead the side.”

Discussing squad composition, Iqbal pointed out the franchise’s deliberate focus on strengthening the middle order, an area often considered a challenge in T20 cricket.

“If you look at Pakistan cricket as well, the middle order has been an issue in T20Is. When we signed Moeen Ali before the auction, people criticised the decision, but now you can see he is one of the best middle-order batters,” he explained.

He further highlighted the addition of wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan as another key move to bolster the lineup.

“We picked Azam Khan to further strengthen our middle order. He is the kind of player who, once he gets going, is very difficult to stop, and we have already seen that in this PSL,” he added.

Reflecting on past success, Iqbal recalled Karachi Kings’ title-winning campaign in 2020.

“People often say that empty stadiums favour Karachi Kings because we won our last title in 2020, when matches were played without crowds due to COVID,” he further stated.

He also acknowledged the longstanding rivalry with Lahore Qalandars, calling them the team’s biggest competitors.

“There has always been a rivalry, and Lahore Qalandars remain our main rivals. Matches against them bring a different kind of pressure,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of active ownership during the tournament, stating that involvement from management boosts player morale.

“When team owners stay involved during the PSL and spend time with the squad, it lifts the confidence of both local and international players,” he shared.
 
Good replacement
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*JASON ROY JOINS KARACHI KINGS AS REPLACEMENT FOR MUHAMMAD WASEEM*

*KARACHI – April 15, 2026:* Karachi Kings are excited to announce the signing of England’s powerhouse opener, *Jason Roy*, for the HBL PSL 11 season. Roy joins the squad as a replacement for Muhammad Waseem.

Known for his fearless striking and vast experience in the T20 circuit, Roy is no stranger to the HBL PSL, where he has consistently been one of the most destructive overseas batters. His arrival is set to bolster the Kings' top order as the tournament enters its most critical phase.

Regarding the vacancy left by Khuzaima bin Tanveer, the team management is currently finalizing a replacement, and an official announcement will follow in due course.
 

Karachi Kings Bolster Spin Attack with Addition of Zahid Mahmood for HBL PSL 11 Campaign

Lahore, 21 April 2026:

Karachi Kings have officially announced the induction of experienced leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood into the squad for the remainder of HBL PSL 11.

Mahmood, known for his sharp turn and deceptive googly, has been a part of Kings' squad in 2024 and 2025 seasons too. With the tournament entering its business end, his ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs is expected to be a vital asset for the franchise.

The Kings currently sit at six points after seven matches. Karachi Kings will play match their next match against Peshawar Zalmi tomorrow at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
 
Karachi Kings Bolster Spin Attack with Addition of Zahid Mahmood for HBL PSL 11 Campaign

Lahore, 21 April 2026:

Karachi Kings have officially announced the induction of experienced leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood into the squad for the remainder of HBL PSL 11.

Mahmood, known for his sharp turn and deceptive googly, has been a part of Kings' squad in 2024 and 2025 seasons too. With the tournament entering its business end, his ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs is expected to be a vital asset for the franchise.

The Kings currently sit at six points after seven matches. Karachi Kings will play match their next match against Peshawar Zalmi tomorrow at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Terrible bowler..
 
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