KARACHI: Former Australian opener David Warner has been appointed as the captain of HBL Pakistan Super League side Karachi Kings, the franchise announced on Monday.

The upcoming PSL season will mark Warner’s maiden appearance in the cash-rich T20 league after he became Karachi Kings’ first pick during the tournament’s player draft in January.

The flamboyant left-hander’s appointment as Karachi skipper comes at the expense of Shan Masood, who steps down from the position after one season in charge, which saw the team finish fifth in the points table.

“Shan Masood’s steadfast leadership during HBL PSL 9 laid the groundwork for a revitalized Karachi Kings, blending youth and experience,” the franchise said in a press release.

Meanwhile, South African all-rounder George Linde was drafted in by Peshawar Zalmi as a full replacement for compatriot Corbin Bosch in the Diamond Category during the PSL’s replacement draft, which was held online on Monday.

Australia’s Alex Carey has been drafted as a partial replacement for South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen in Supplementary category by Islamabad United.

Zalmi have reserved their replacement for a Gold category pick in place of Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana. Karachi Kings have also reserved their pick for Litton Das, who was selected in the Silver category.

The replacement picks for New Zealand duo of Mark Chapman and Kane Williamson, selected in the Platinum and Supplementary categories, respectively by Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings have also been reserved.

The tenth season of the PSL is set to start on April 11.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2025