Pakistani skipper Babar Azam joins franchise Peshawar Zalmi ahead of the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League. The news broke on the eve of the final of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Babar Azam ends his seven-year-long journey with his previous franchise Karachi Kings. He had played for Islamabad United in the first edition of the Pakistan Super League. Babar was assigned to Karachi Kings before the draft of the PSL 2017 since then he had been representing Karachi Kings. He captained Karachi Kings in the last edition.
Pakistan Super League will start from February 9th to March 9th. Matches will be played in the four venues-Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. The trade and retention window of the players closed on Friday. Zalmi picked Babar Azam in the platinum category. Meanwhile, Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik will join Karachi Kings. Muhammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, and Muhammad Amir are also reportedly part of the Karachi Kings.
Manana. Dera Manana @JAfridi10 and @PeshawarZalmi family.
In sha Allah, it will be an exciting journey. https://t.co/wdmllRg4Ct
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 12, 2022
Earlier today, Babar Azam also announced joining Peshawar Zalmi. “It’s been a wonderful journey with Karachi Kings. Thank you @Salman_ARY Bhai, KK management, and players. I am grateful for all the love, support, and lessons, and wish you the very best. To all Karachi fans, aap hamare the or hamesha rahayn ge,” said Babar Azam in his tweet. Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi welcomed Babar Azam in Peshawar Zalmi.
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Babar Azam responded to him in a tweet in the Pashto language. Zalmi fans are excited to have Babar Azam on board. Currently, Babar Azam is leading the Pakistan Cricket Team into the final of the T20 World Cup 2022.
It's been a wonderful journey with Karachi Kings. Thank you @Salman_ARY bhai, KK management, and players. I am grateful for all the love, support, and lessons and wish you the very best.
To all Karachi fans, aap hamare the or hamesha rahayn ge.
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 12, 2022
Several supporters of Karachi Kings had expressed sadness over Babar Azam leaving Karachi Kings. Some of them said they supported Karachi Kings only because of Babar Azam. They no longer will be supporting the team. They also expressed disappointment in the list of players playing for Karachi Kings in the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League.