The second phase of Pakistan Super League (PSL) seventh edition has begun at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Karachi Kings are passing through their worst time in PSL history. The PSL 2020 champions suffered five straight losses in the first phase.Karachi Kings remained winless at home. Another defeat could put them on the brink of elimination. Technically they are not out of the competition, but will have to win the remaining five matches in Lahore with a good run-rate so that they remain in contention for a spot in the play-offs.

Karachi's batsmen, especially the overseas players Muhammad Nabi (82 runs in 5 matches), Joe Clarke (52 in 3) and Lewis Gregory (44 in 5), let down their team in the early phase. But in the second stage in Lahore everyone needs to show some fireworks to keep Kings’ chances alive.

Despite defeat in all first five matches, skipper Babar Azam remains confident that his team will bounce back and he will try to give the boys more confidence.

Karachi Kings started the tournament as one of the favourites, but after losing all five matches it looks difficult for them even to qualify for the qualifier.

The Kings lost their opening match against Multan Sultans followed by defeats against Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United.

Kings won the PSL fifth edition in 2020 beating Lahore Qalandars under former captain Imad Wasim.

On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan’s defending champions Multan remained on top by winning all five matches in the first round in Karachi.

United are the only ones that have won the PSL title twice — in 2016 and 2018. Lahore are the only ones yet to win the league.

Peshawar have played four finals so far. They won in 2017 against Quetta , but lost three: in 2018 against Islamabad, in 2019 against Quetta and in 2021 against Multan.

Kings finished fourth in the first PSL edition, third in 2017 and 2018, and fourth in 2019 and 2021.

Till the first phase of the ongoing PSL, Karachi had played 70 matches, won 29 and lost 38.

The Kings failed miserably to defend their totals in the matches played at the National Stadium in Karachi. They lost by seven wickets to Multan, six wickets to Lahore, and eight wickets to Quetta.

Karachi miss the power hitting from the opener Sharjeel Khan in the power-play. He managed only 119 runs in the first five matches at an average of 23.80. Babar scored 194 runs, averaging 48.50. But the team missed the opening partnership with a good strike rate.

The Kings rely heavily on Sharjeel and Babar. Both openers failed to provide solid stands except in two games. Against Islamabad, they managed 6, against Peshawar 2, against Lahore 84, against Quetta 16, and against Multan 66.

Babar tried his best to sustain his reputation as a good opening batsman in the shortest format of the game as he does in international cricket, but unfortunately his contribution with the bat has not been fruitful for his team as he didn’t score runs in the power-play with a reasonable strike rate.

Babar is still the most successful batsman for Karachi. He has scored 2055 runs in 54 innings, averaging 44.67, including 21 half centuries. His best score is 90 not out against Peshawar this year.

Unfortunately, Kings’ main striker Mohammad Amir is not available due to injury. He has taken 54 wickets in 59 matches at an average of 29.59.

After Amir, Karachi suffered another setback after withdrawal of another leading fast bowler Mohammad Ilyas, because of a shoulder injury. Usman Shinwari has replaced the injured fast bowler for the rest of the tournament. Ilyas played in the first three games, but he was not in a good form. He conceded 71 runs in the six overs he bowled.

Karachi are also missing the services of a quality leg-spinner. Imad Wasim and Muhammad Nabi are there, but these days in T20 format, leg-spinners play a vital role in teams’ success like Islamabad skipper Shadab Khan and Multan’s Imran Tahir.

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