Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal has emphasised the importance of team unity, leadership, and strategic squad building as key pillars behind the franchise’s approach in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
Speaking to HBL PSL Digital, Salman Iqbal highlighted that strong relationships within the squad remain the foundation of any successful T20 side.
“The most important thing for any franchise team is strong bonding among the players,” he stated.
He praised Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa for seamlessly integrating into the squad, reflecting the team’s positive environment.
“Zampa has gelled into the team so well that it feels like he has been part of Karachi Kings for a long time. That kind of bonding is very important in a team,” he said.
Salman Iqbal also reaffirmed his confidence in captain David Warner, revealing that the decision to appoint him as leader was clear from the outset.
“We have retained David Warner as captain this season as well. When we picked him in last year’s draft, I had already decided that he would lead the side.”
Discussing squad composition, Iqbal pointed out the franchise’s deliberate focus on strengthening the middle order, an area often considered a challenge in T20 cricket.
“If you look at Pakistan cricket as well, the middle order has been an issue in T20Is. When we signed Moeen Ali before the auction, people criticised the decision, but now you can see he is one of the best middle-order batters,” he explained.
He further highlighted the addition of wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan as another key move to bolster the lineup.
“We picked Azam Khan to further strengthen our middle order. He is the kind of player who, once he gets going, is very difficult to stop, and we have already seen that in this PSL,” he added.
Reflecting on past success, Iqbal recalled Karachi Kings’ title-winning campaign in 2020.
“People often say that empty stadiums favour Karachi Kings because we won our last title in 2020, when matches were played without crowds due to COVID,” he further stated.
He also acknowledged the longstanding rivalry with Lahore Qalandars, calling them the team’s biggest competitors.
“There has always been a rivalry, and Lahore Qalandars remain our main rivals. Matches against them bring a different kind of pressure,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of active ownership during the tournament, stating that involvement from management boosts player morale.
“When team owners stay involved during the PSL and spend time with the squad, it lifts the confidence of both local and international players,” he shared.