LAHORE: Karachi Kings fast bowler Mir Hamza hopes to benefit more from the positive captaincy of David Warner and a strong middle-order option provided by Salman Ali Agha as they prepare for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 from March 26 to May 3.
Addressing the media ahead of Kings’ training session, Hamza expressed confidence in the team’s formation ahead of the upcoming matches.
“Having David Warner back as captain this season is a big plus for us. He is very supportive and a natural leader,” Hamza said.
“We have a strong middle-order option in Salman Ali Agha who can contribute with both bat and ball and is capable of playing long innings,” he added.
The Test pacer gave an update on the team’s preparations, noting that the practice match came at the right time.
“Our preparation has been good and the practice match has come at the right time,” he said. “Due to the Eid holidays, we could not train earlier but now we are getting valuable training ahead of the PSL and the warm-up game helps us get into the right competitive rhythm.”
Hamza, while acknowledging the evolving nature of the competition, also stressed his commitment to the franchise.
“My current focus is to do well for my franchise. With the addition of two new teams, more talent will emerge and the competition will become tougher, but the weather is unlikely to have much of an impact on the matches,” he concluded.
The upcoming PSL season marks a significant expansion, with eight teams competing for the first time. New teams Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi join the tournament which consists of 44 matches in 39 days.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board has revised its logistical plans. The matches will now be held exclusively in Karachi and Lahore and will be played behind closed doors.
Originally, six cities including Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were under consideration as host venues.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the changes during a press conference, saying the decisions were taken after consultation with franchise owners and the board’s patron-chairman, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the revised schedule, Lahore will host Eliminators 1 and 2 along with the final, while Karachi will host the qualifiers. There is no change in the opening match between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Lahore Qalandars.
The Warner-led Kings will play their campaign opener against Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
With the matches being held without spectators, the organizers have promised enhanced broadcast and production features to enhance the viewing experience for fans in Pakistan and globally.
Karachi Kings Squad for PSL 11:
David Warner (catch), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Kushtil Shah, Saad Paik, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan (week), Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Jamba, Mohammad Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Khwaja Muhammad Ilyas, Khwaja Muhammad Heventse, Bin Danson Wantse, and Rizwanullah.