PSL 2019 - Karachi Kings Team Preview

The 4th season of the Pakistan Super League has begun and as the PSL is set to entertain scores of fans around the world, we take a look at one of the favourites for success, the mighty Karachi Kings.

Star-studded Kings keen to end playoffs hoodoo

Karachi Kings reached the playoffs in all the PSL seasons but they have failed to reach the finals on all the occasions. In every edition, they managed to pick a star-studded squad but have failed to go all the way.

Again this season, they filled their side with well-known T20 stars. On paper, the Kings looks like the best side in this edition's PSL. With Babar Azam & Colin Munro, they got both the current No.1 & No.2 T20 international batsmen in the World. In Colin Ingram, they also have one of the finest domestic T20 batsmen who has over the years played in different franchise-based T20 leagues around the World.

Liam Livingstone is an another exciting modern day T20 batsman. In the Vitality T20 Blast last season, he displayed his versatile and attractive style of T20 batting with some extraordinary & unorthodox shots. By far, the Kings hav the best batting line-up in the tournament.

Imad Wasim, Ravi Bopara & Sikandar Raza's exceptional all-round skills gave a fine balance to the team. If needed, even Munro can chip in with some cutters on the slow UAE pitches. Especially, after returning from the injury, Captain Imad's numbers while playing for Pakistan with both bat & ball are better than his career figures.

Karachi Kings looks strong on paper

After a mediocre 2018, Mohammad Amir will embrace the opportunity of leading the Karachi attack to get back some lost form & rhythm. Usman Khan Shinwari is another exciting prospect in their pace arsenal, he can extract pace & bounce as seen in the Asia Cup 2018.

With a well balanced team & T20 stars in their squad, this season Karachi Kings may well end their playoffs hoodoo.

Key Players - Babar Azam, Colin Ingram, Colin Munro, Imad Wasim, Amir, Bopara, Sikander Raza

PSL Record

--> Matches - 30 | Wins - 12 | Loses - 17 | Tie - 0 | NR - 1

--> Win % - 40.0

--> 2016 - 4th | 2017 - 3rd | 2018 - 3rd

Squad

Imad Wasim(C), Aamer Yamin, Aaron Summers, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Imran, Awais Zia, Babar Azam, Ben Dunk, Colin Ingram, Colin Munro, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jaahid Ali, Liam Livingstone, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Ravi Bopara, Sikandar Raza, Sohail Khan, Umer Khan, Usama Mir, Usman Khan Shinwari

Coach - Mickey Arthur