Karachi Kings

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Karachi Kings
کراچی کنگز
Karachi Kings.png
Nickname(s)Kings
Personnel
CaptainBabar Azam
CoachPeter Moores
OwnerSalman Iqbal
Team information
CityKarachi, Sindh, Pakistan
ColorsKkpslcolors.png
Founded2015; 7 years ago (2015)
Home groundNational Stadium
Capacity34,228
History
PSL wins1 (2020)
Official websitekarachikings.com.pk

T20 kit

Karachi Kings in 2022
Seasons

Karachi Kings (Urdu: کراچی کنگز; Sindhi: ڪراچي ڪنگز) (abbreviated as KK) is a Pakistani professional franchise Twenty20 cricket team that competes in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The team is based in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, Pakistan,[1] and was formed in 2015 as a result of the formation of the Pakistan Super League by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The team's home ground is National Stadium.

The team is currently captained by Babar Azam,[2] and is coached by Peter Moores. They won their first PSL title in PSL V after beating their rivals Lahore Qalandars in the final on 17 November 2020.

The leading run-scorer for the side is Babar Azam,[3] while Mohammad Amir is the leading wicket-taker.[4]

Franchise history[]

On 3 December 2015, the PCB unveiled the owners of five city-based franchises.[5] The Karachi franchise was sold to the ARY Media Group for US$26 million for a ten-year period making it the most expensive franchise in the tournament.[6] However, in 2017, new franchise Multan Sultans replaced Karachi Kings as the most expensive team in PSL history after the team was sold for US$41.6 million for an eight-year agreement.[7]

2016 season[]

See also: Karachi Kings in 2016
Ravi Bopara was the player of the tournament in the 2016 PSL, after achieving superb batting and bowling performances.

The Kings kicked off their campaign with an easy win against the Lahore Qalandars at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with Mohammad Amir getting a hat-trick.[8]

The Kings only won one more match during the group stage of the tournament, finishing with two wins and six losses. They finished fourth in the league table however, above Lahore Qalandars with a better head-to-head record, and qualified for the league play-off stage.

Ravi Bopara replaced Shoaib Malik as the team captain ahead of the qualifier match against Islamabad United.[9] After being restricted to their lowest score of the tournament (111), Karachi were defeated by nine wickets in the 15th over and were eliminated from the tournament.[10]

2017 season[]

See also: Karachi Kings in 2017

Kumar Sangakkara and Babar Azam joined Karachi for the second season of the PSL whilst Azhar Mehmood signed on as a coach. Sohail Tanvir was traded for Chris Gayle of the Lahore Qalandars during the off-season trade window.[11] During the 2017 PSL players draft, Karachi retained Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Ravi Bopara, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Saifullah Bangash, and Shahzaib Hasan. The team added nine players to the squad, including Kieron Pollard, Mahela Jayawardena and Ryan McLaren.[12]

In their first game, Karachi Kings lost to Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets in a one-sided affair that saw them post a target of just 118 runs in their 20 overs.[13] In the following game, against the Quetta Gladiators, the Kings failed to defend 160 and lost by 7 wickets yet again.[14] Even as the tournament progressed to Sharjah, the Kings continued their losing streak. Facing a loss this time to arch-rivals, Lahore Qalandars. The match was closely fought and a partnership of 101 runs between veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Shoaib Malik almost won it for the Kings. But in the end they fell short of the target of 180 by 7 runs.[15] But in the next game, against defending champions Islamabad United. The team finally managed to put themselves on the points table. The win came through the Duckworth-Lewis method as the Kings were ahead of the par score by 8 runs when returning rain forced to abandon the already 13-over match.[16] In their final game of the Sharjah leg, the Kings continued their winning streak to get past Peshawar Zalmi in a thrilling contest. Setting up a target of 175, the Kings had the Zalmis reduced to 69-6 before Shahid Afridi and Darren Sammy combined in a 70-run partnership that almost won the game for the Zalmis. However, the Kings' bowling prevailed in the end to give their team a 9-run victory.[17]

As the tournament moved back to Dubai, the Kings couldn't continue their winning streak and lost to table-toppers, Quetta Gladiators, by 6 wickets. Batting first, the Kings set a target of 155 runs, which they were unable to defend despite a 3-wicket-over from pacer Sohail Khan. This loss pushed the Karachi Kings to the bottom of the table once again.[18] However, in the next game, which had become a must-win for both participating teams, the Kings managed to prevail over their rivals the Lahore Qalandars in a thrilling last-ball finish. Chasing 156, the team required 10 runs from the last two balls, which Kieron Pollard surpassed with back-to-back sixes to keep his team alive in the tournament.[19]

Karachi then had to protect their net run rate in the very next league match, against Islamabad United, to qualify for the eliminator. In a rain-marred game, restricted to 15-overs-a-side, they were set a target of 124 by Islamabad and they had to score at least 111 runs to qualify for the eliminator. Gayle set the tempo through his blitzing knock of 44 off a mere 17 balls. The game was superbly finished by none other than Pollard himself on the second last ball of the match via a boundary. Gayle's knock and Pollard's finishing helped Karachi win this encounter against Islamabad.

Consequently, Karachi again faced Islamabad in the eliminator. In what proved to be a thrilling game, Karachi, batting first, scored a measly 126 getting all out in the process. Islamabad was set to win and qualify for the second play off. However, that was not the case as the second innings proved. The Karachi bowlers outshone the Islamabad bowlers with Muhammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Usama Mir each picking up three wickets. Islamabad were all out for a mere 82 runs, their lowest in the tournament and the second-lowest in the tournament's history.[20] Hence, the defending champions were knocked out and Karachi lived another day in the tournament and qualified for the second play-off.[21]

2018 season[]

See also: Karachi Kings in 2018
Shahid Afridi joined the team as president and player for 2018.

On 7 April 2017 Shahid Afridi joined the team as president and player, and left Peshawar Zalmi.[22] Mitchell Johson was replaced by Tymal Mills as he pulled out from the tournament a month before 2018 season. In their opening match of the 2018 season, Kings ended the two-season losing streak against Quetta Gladiators by beating them by 19 runs.[23] In their next game, the Kings continued their winning form by beating the defending champions, Peshawar Zalmi, in a closely fought game. Chasing a target of 132 runs, the team won with 2 balls and 5 wickets to spare.[24] Their next game was against arch-rivals, Lahore Qalandars.[25][26] Batting first, the Kings posted 159 for 9 on the board thanks to Bopara's unbeaten innings of 50 runs. In reply, the Qalandars got off to a great start, and were 68 for 1 inside 6 overs, but 3 quick wickets from man of the match, Shahid Afridi, ensured a third consecutive win for his side as the Qalandars fell short by 27 runs.[27] The Kings got eliminated in the match second eliminator match played at Lahore on 21 March 2018 against Peshawar Zalmi.[28]

As the league progressed to Sharjah, the Kings' game against Multan Sultans was washed out due to persistent rain.[29] In the next game, against Islamabad United, the team's unbeaten run in the season was ended. Batting first, the Kings posted the highest target in Sharjah that year - 154 runs - before failing to defend it and losing the match by 8 wickets.[30]

2019 season[]

See also: Karachi Kings in 2019

Before the 2019 season, Wasim Akram joined the franchise as president.[31]

2020 season[]

See also: Karachi Kings in 2020

In PSL V, Karachi Kings reached the finals for the first time in PSL history after defeating the Multan Sultans in the qualifier match that went into a Super Over.[32][33] They also went on to win the PSL V under the leadership of Imad Wasim. Karachi Kings defeated the Lahore Qalandars by five wickets in the final to win their maiden PSL title.[34]

Team identity[]

The team name and logo were revealed on 21 December 2015. The logo features a lion with Karachi Kings written below in white and gold colors. At the ceremony, team owner Salman Iqbal said that the logo and the theme of the team represented the true spirit and resilience of Karachi.[35] The team's primary jersey color is blue and gold. The jersey also incorporates the roaring lion logo in the bottom left of the shirt. AJ Sports (a sports manufacturing company) is the team's kit manufacturer.[36]

Bahria Town, the largest real-estate developers and investors in Pakistan and the largest private housing society in Asia were the team's title sponsors for first three seasons.[37] Besides Bahria Town other sponsors were Summit Bank, The Arkadians, Oye Hoye, Pepsi, Brighto Paints and Shield Corporation Ltd. Their official main principle partner for the 2017 season was Naya Nazimabad.[38] Bridge Power was platinum sponsor. Cotton & Cotton signed an agreement to be their official apparel partner in December 2016. Vital Tea was their tea partner, their print media partner was the Pakistan Observer and Titans were their memorabilia partner.

Anthems[]

The anthem of the team for 2017 season titled "Dhan Dhana Dhan Hoga Re" was sung by Shehzad Roy.[39][40] As for 2018 season, "De Dhana Dhan" was the team's official anthem sung again by Shehzad Roy.[41]

Ambassadors[]

Pakistani film stars Fahad Mustafa, Humayun Saeed and singer Shehzad Roy were the team's star ambassadors for the 2018 season.[42] TUC is team's title sponsor for 2019 season, replacing Bahria Town.

Year Kit Manufacturers Shirt Sponsor (Chest) Shirt Sponsor (Back) Chest Branding Sleeve Branding
2016 AJ Sports Bahria Town Summit Bank The Arkadians Oye Hoye Chips, K-Electric, Shield, Igloo Ice-cream
2017 Bridge Power Batteries Oye Hoye Chips, Shield, Tapal Tea
2018 Nurpur Brighto Paints, Imtiaz super market, Shield
2019 TUC Scene on! Cadbury Dairy Milk Imtiaz Super Market, Inverex, Rooh Afza
2020 ARY Laguna QMobile Surf Excel Imtiaz Super Market, Mughal Steel, ARY Laguna
2021 Hashmi Ispaghol Pepsi Imtiaz Super Market, Mughal Steel, ME Body Spray
2022 PSO Carient Motor Oil BankIslami Imtiaz Super Market, Mughal Steel, Bona Papa

Rivalry[]

Main article: Karachi Kings–Lahore Qalandars rivalry

Karachi Kings have an active rivalry with Lahore Qalandars,[43] and is considered to be the biggest rivalry in the PSL due to the historic economic and cultural rivalry between the cities of the two teams.[44] As of the 2021 season, both teams have played 13 times, with the Kings coming out victorious 8 times.[45] Both teams have a large fan following which makes their matches more intense and interesting to watch.[46] Both teams are known to be the expensive teams of PSL.[5]

Current squad[]

This section is transcluded from 2022 Pakistan Super League squads. ( | )
Key
Name Nat. Bat. Bowl.
  • Players with international caps are listed in bold.
  •  *  denotes a player who is fully unavailable
  •  *  denotes a player who will be partially unavailable
 abbreviation of Nationality Batting style
  • R for Right-hand
  • L for Left-hand
 Bowling style
  • R for Right-arm
  • L for Left-arm


Karachi Kings squad
No. Name Nat. Birth date Category Bat. Bowl. Joined Notes
Batsmen
28 Ian Cockbain England (1987-02-17) 17 February 1987 (age 34) Silver R R medium 2022 Overseas/Full replacement for Tom Abell
51 Sahibzada Farhan Pakistan (1996-03-06) 6 March 1996 (age 25) Supplementary R — 2022
56 Babar Azam Pakistan (1994-10-15) 15 October 1994 (age 27) Platinum R R off break 2017 Captain
98 Sharjeel Khan Pakistan (1989-08-14) 14 August 1989 (age 32) Gold L R leg break 2020
N/A Tom Abell England (1994-03-05) 5 March 1994 (age 27) Silver R R medium 2022 Overseas
All-rounders
7 Mohammad Nabi Afghanistan (1985-01-01) 1 January 1985 (age 37) Diamond R R off break 2021 Overseas
9 Imad Wasim Pakistan (1988-12-18) 18 December 1988 (age 33) Platinum L Slow left arm orthodox 2016 Vice-Captain
12 Aamer Yamin Pakistan (1990-06-26) 26 June 1990 (age 31) Gold R R medium-fast 2019
15 Tom Lammonby England (2000-06-02) 2 June 2000 (age 21) Supplementary L L medium fast 2022 Overseas/Full replacement for Romario Shepherd[47]
49 Qasim Akram Pakistan (2002-12-01) 1 December 2002 (age 19) Emerging R R off break 2021
90 Mohammad Taha Pakistan (2000-10-05) 5 October 2000 (age 21) Emerging L Slow left arm orthodox 2022 Partial replacement for Qasim Akram
N/A Jordan Thompson England (1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 (age 25) Supplementary L R medium-fast 2022 Overseas
N/A Faisal Akram Pakistan (2003-08-20) 20 August 2003 (age 18) Emerging L L wrist spin 2022
Wicket-keepers
33 Joe Clarke England (1996-05-26) 26 May 1996 (age 25) Gold R 2021 Overseas/Ambassador
44 Rohail Nazir Pakistan (2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 20) Silver R 2022
Bowlers
00 Mohammad Ilyas Pakistan (1999-03-21) 21 March 1999 (age 22) Silver R R medium fast 2021
5 Mohammad Amir Pakistan (1992-04-13) 13 April 1992 (age 29) Diamond L L fast medium 2016
13 Umaid Asif Pakistan (1984-04-30) 30 April 1984 (age 37) Silver R R medium fast 2022
14 Mohammad Imran Pakistan (2001-01-20) 20 January 2001 (age 21) Silver R L medium fast 2022
34 Chris Jordan England (1988-10-04) 4 October 1988 (age 33) Platinum R R fast-medium 2022 Overseas
N/A Talha Ahsan Pakistan (2003-10-22) 22 October 2003 (age 18) Supplementary R R leg-break 2022
N/A Usman Shinwari Pakistan (1994-01-05) 5 January 1994 (age 28) N/A R L fast medium 2022
N/A Romario Shepherd Guyana (1994-11-26) 26 November 1994 (age 27) Supplementary R R fast-medium 2022 Overseas


Management and coaching staff[]

Name Position
Pakistan Salman Iqbal (ARY Group) Owner
England Peter Moores Head coach
Pakistan Wasim Akram President and Bowling Mentor
Pakistan Tariq Wasi CEO
Pakistan Navaid Rasheed VP Operations
Pakistan Shehzad Hassan Khan Head of Marketing
Pakistan Faisal Mirza Team Media Manager
Pakistan Ibrahim Qureshi Fitness Trainer
Unavailable Team Physio
Unavailable Team Analayst

Captains[]

No. Nat. Player From To Mat Won Lost Tie&W Tie&L NR %
1 Pakistan Shoaib Malik 2016 2016 8 2 6 0 0 0 25.00
2 England Ravi Bopara 2016 2016 1 0 1 0 0 0 00.00
3 Sri Lanka Kumar Sangakkara 2017 2017 10 5 5 0 0 0 50.00
4 Pakistan Imad Wasim 2018 2021 41 20 17 0 2 2 53.84
5 England Eoin Morgan 2018 2018 3 1 2 0 0 0 33.33
6 Pakistan Mohammad Amir 2018 2018 1 0 1 0 0 0 00.00
7 Pakistan Babar Azam 2020 2022 5 0 5 0 0 0 00.00

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last updated: 30 January 2022

Result summary[]

Overall result in PSL[]

Year Pld Won Loss Tie&W Tie&L NR SR(%) Position Summary
2016 9 2 7 0 0 0 22.22 4/5 Play-offs
2017 10 5 5 0 0 0 50.00 3/5 Play-offs
2018 12 5 5 0 1 1 50.00 3/6 Play-offs
2019 11 5 6 0 0 0 45.45 4/6 Play-offs
2020 12 7 4 0 0 1 58.33 1/6 Champions
2021 11 5 6 0 0 0 45.45 4/6 Play-offs
Total 65 29 33 0 1 2 44.61% 1 title
  • Tie+W and Tie+L indicates matches tied and then won or Lost in a tiebreaker such as a bowlout or one-over-eliminator ("Super Over")
  • The result percentage excludes no results and counts ties (irrespective of a tiebreaker) as half a win.

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last updated: 24 January 2022

Head-to-head record[]

Opposition Span Mat Won Lost Tie&W Tie&L NR SR%
Islamabad United 2016–present 16 6 10 0 0 0 37.50
Lahore Qalandars 2016–present 13 8 4 0 1 0 65.38
Multan Sultans 2018–present 10 4 3 1 0 2 64.28
Peshawar Zalmi 2016–present 15 5 10 0 0 0 33.33
Quetta Gladiators 2018–present 12 5 7 0 0 0 41.66

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last updated: 24 January 2022

Statistics[]

Most runs[]

Nat. Player Years Matches Innings Runs Avg. HS 100 50
Pakistan Babar Azam 2017–present 56 54 2055 44.67 90* 0 21
South Africa Colin Ingram 2018–2021 28 26 613 30.65 127* 1 2
England Ravi Bopara 2016–2019 31 28 575 28.75 71* 0 3
Pakistan Sharjeel Khan 2020–present 23 22 554 26.38 105 1 2
Pakistan Imad Wasim 2016–present 59 45 541 18.03 50 0 1

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last updated: 24 January 2022

Most wickets[]

Nat. Player Years Matches Wickets

Avg.

BBI Econ. SR 4W 5W
Pakistan Mohammad Amir 2016–present 59 54 29.59 4/25 7.38 14.0 2 0
Pakistan Imad Wasim 2016–present 59 36 34.58 3/18 7.05 29.4 0 0
Pakistan Usman Shinwari 2017–2019 27 35 24.65 4/15 8.50 15.2 2 0
Pakistan Sohail Khan 2016–2017; 2019 19 22 25.09 3/23 8.19 18.3 0 0
Pakistan Umer Khan 2019–2020 17 19 20.89 3/22 7.78 16.1 0 0

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last Updated: 24 January 2022

See also[]

References[]

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  22. ^ Zalmi Shahid Afridi joins Karachi Kings as president, PKKH, 2017-4-6. Retrieved 2017-4-6.]
  23. ^ "Quetta Gladiators winning streak against Kings comes to an end after 19 runs defeat". Dawn News. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  24. ^ Majeed, Zohaib (25 February 2018). "Karachi Kings go top of PSL 2018 points table with five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi". Dawn. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
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  37. ^ "Karachi Kings finalizes sponsors – Bahria Town takes the lead". ARY News. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
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  40. ^ "In focus: The Pakistan Super League 2 soundtrack". The News. Maheen Sabeeh. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  41. ^ "Karachi Kings partners with TCS Yayvo for official merchandise". ARY News. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
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External links[]

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