KARACHI: The captain of the Karachi Kings, Shan Masood, is unconcerned about his teammates’ seeming lack of significant individual contributions. Rather, the batter takes pride in having made themselves available when it matters most.
The previous HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions have started the season with two victories from their three games played. On Wednesday, they will play their first home game of the year against Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium.
Shan is thrilled to be performing in front of his home crowd as the Kings, riding high on their success from the previous season, continue what has been dubbed their rebuilding stage.
He told journalists here on Tuesday, “We are thrilled about playing in Karachi; it’s a fresh start for an entirely fresh group, and we are prepared to play in front of our hometown fans.” “Karachi Kings are celebrating a special event; we’re off to a strong start.
“However, a successful team is one that builds on its strengths and learns from its mistakes; the objective is to do well in tomorrow’s game as well.”
Karachi recovered from their opening match loss to Multan Sultans with victories over Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars.
Shan observed that the Kings benefited from several of his players’ underwhelming performances in both victories.
Pollard and Shoaib Malik sealed the win against the Qalandars, while Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali shared six wickets between each of them. James Vince and Kieron Pollard got Karachi over the finish line in the Zalmi match.
Those are the performances that one could highlight from a scorecard, but Shan values even the smallest contributions made by his players to the group’s goal.
“What makes us unique thus far is that no single standout performance has been made,” he remarked. Some players have performed poorly when it comes to bowling, batting, and—most importantly—fielding.
“Everyone can perform in any match, which is a good trait for any squad. We would be pleased if a player does well in two of the tournament’s possible ten to fourteen matches, and the other player does well in the remaining two.
Shan continued by describing how Tabraiz Shamsi, the chinaman bowler for Karachi, went for 42 runs against Qalandars but got the vital wicket of Shai Hope, who was then threatening to put the Kings out of the game.
In order to get the side back into the game and keep the Peshawar squad to a lower total than they may have intended, he also praised the South African spinner for giving up just two runs in his final over against Zalmi.
Despite the all-rounder’s difficulties in his debut season with Karachi, Shan supported him and said his Pakistani teammate had shown up when he had the chance to make a difference.
Shan expressed his desire to do well soon, despite not being able to get going himself thus far.
Shan remarked, “I started all three innings but was unfortunately out of luck after that.” “But once more, someone has to step up, and when I do, I hope it’s right when the team really needs it.”
