'Babar Azam, Gayle and Sangakkara to join Karachi Kings in next PSL'

KARACHI: ARY Digital Network and CEO Salman Iqbal on Friday announced that Babar Azam, Chris Gayle and Kumar Sangakkara will be playing from Karachi Kings franchise in the upcoming Pakistan Super League, ARY News reported.

In a press conference after the famed talent hunt program ‘Khiladi Ki Khoj‘, Mr Iqbal apprised media about the preparations for the upcoming PSL and the team’s plans regarding the emerging players and young talent selected in the talent hunt.

“The talented Pakistani youngster Babar Azam, who scored three consecutive centuries against West Indies will be a part of Karachi Kings. Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Ravi Bopara, Muhammad Amir and Sohail Khan will remain part of our team. A squad of 11 players is ready while nine more players are yet to be selected,” said the Karachi Kings’ owner.

It was announced that the team selection and buying of players will be done in future by an advisory board comprising national team coach Mickey Arthur, Shoaib Malik, Rashid Latif, Saleem Yusuf, Iqbal Qasim and Azhar Mahmood.

PLANS FOR ‘EMERGING PLAYERS’

In a first, Mr Iqbal announced some of the most innovative plans to provide exposure and opportunities for the young players selected through the talent hunt program ‘Khiladi Ki Khoj‘

The team owner claimed that top six players selected through the program will be included in the PSL draft for emerging players’ category.

“One player will be selected and will be included in playing eleven. Now imagine, a boy who reached the open talent hunt will most probably be batting with Chris Gayle, bowling to Shane Watson or keeping wickets behind Mohammad Amir,” said Mr Iqbal.

He further announced the formation of ‘Karachi Kings Foundation’, which will work for promotion of cricket in the mega city. The foundation will form four teams of 15 players from the newly found players and will organize a tournament among these 60 youngsters.

Out of these 60 players, 15 will be selected to form ‘Karachi Kings A’ team.