Following being left without a buyer during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, David Warner is soon to begin an exciting new episode in his cricketing career when he plays the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the first time in his life.
Warner was snapped up by the Karachi Kings at a record-high price of Rs 2.58 crore to become the highest-paid player of PSL so far. The franchise has also tasked him with the leadership role as he gets ready to captain the team in their opening game against Multan Sultans this Saturday.
During the lead-up to the game, Warner addressed the media in Karachi, where he was suddenly challenged by a journalist who had made a comment that some 'Indians' had ridiculed him for resorting to the PSL after failing to be selected in the IPL auction. Warner quickly brushed the claim aside as news to him.
"This is the first that I've heard about it. My view is, I would love to play cricket. There is a chance to come to PSL. My international schedule prevented me from coming to PSL because of the timings. Now, I wish to compete, captain Karachi Kings, and hopefully we are capable of winning the trophy," Warner said in the press conference.
He said, "For me, it's all about playing cricket, and it's a chance for me to travel to PSL. Previously, the international schedule didn't make it possible for me to come here with the timings."
Warner joined the PSL 10 Players Draft following his being snubbed at the IPL mega auction that took place in Jeddah last November. Karachi Kings acquired him as their franchise's first Platinum-category choice at the historical Hazoori Bagh in Lahore.
The experienced Australian opener has an impressive T20 CV, having accumulated 12,913 runs in 399 games at a batting average of 37.00, accompanied by a powerful strike rate of 140.23. Warner had formally retired from international cricket last year.
Karachi Kings' complete team for PSL 10:
David Warner (Captain), Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne (Platinum); James Vince, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah (Diamond); Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal (Gold); Arafat Minhas (Brand Ambassador); Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Litton Das, Mir Hamza (Silver); Fawad Ali, Riazullah (Emerging); Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, Mirza Mamoon (Supplementary).
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