PSL 2017 team guide – Karachi Kings squad list, prediction and franchise’s new faces
Barnaby Read
17:35 07/02/2017
Barnaby Read
17:35 07/02/2017
How do you think the franchises will fare in 2017? Which players are looking forward to seeing play? Do you believe the PSL final will be played in Lahore?
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?
Karachi were a massive disappointment last year as their team, riddled with big name players, failed to deliver.
They scraped through to the qualifying finals with just two wins to their name, nudging ahead of Lahore Qalandars on net run-rate alone.
The Kings didn’t make life easy for themselves either, captain Shoaib Malik stepping down in the immediate aftermath of their final match of the group stage.
Ravi Bopara shouldered the responsibility but there was no inspired change as Karachi were easily dismissed by Islamabad in the second qualifying final.
WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR?
The captaincy issue has been addressed, Kumar Sangakkara signed from Quetta to lead this year’s charge.
You would expect stability to follow Sangakkara wherever he goes but this is a dressing room packed with big names and personalities.
Chris Gayle is the stellar signing, joining from Lahore, while compatriot Kieron Pollard has also signed up.
Mahela Jayawardene will reunite with Sangakkara, with Ryan McLaren the other new foreigner in the camp, while Bopara is the only overseas player to retain his place.
Babar Azam is a huge domestic recruit as is Rahat Ali, who will provide much needed assistance to Mohammad Amir and Sohail Khan.
HOW WILL THEY DO?
This team looks to have far more balance and if they click and egos are kept in check then they can go all the way.
That’s easier said than done but, for us, they’ll lose to Islamabad in the final.
SQUAD LIST
Captain: Kumar Sangakkara (wk/overseas)
Batsmen: Babar Azam, Khurram Manzoor, Shahzaib Hasan
All-rounders: Shoaib Malik, Kashif Bhatti, Imad Wasim, Aamad Alam
Wicket-keeper: Saifullah Bangash
Bowlers: Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Usama Mir, Abrar Ahmed, Abdul Ameer
Overseas: Chris Gayle (West Indies), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Ryan McLaren (South Africa), Kieron Pollard (West Indies), Ravi Bopara (England), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)