Babar Azam likely to leave Karachi Kings after relationship sours

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is reportedly considering leaving the Karachi Kings franchise ahead of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year.

Babar, who opened the batting for Kings in PSL 2021, is contemplating the option of shifting teams in the league after a fallout with the team owners.

Pakistan website cricketpakistan.com.pk reported sources close to the matter to be saying that the modern-day batting giant is “unhappy with the franchise due to financial issues and concerns over the player’s image.”

Also Read: Babar Azam – Pakistan’s Great ODI Anchor

Babar Azam has been playing for Karachi Kings since PSL 2017.

“This is precisely the reason why Babar was also absent in a major promotional activity carried out by the team owners, last season,” the report further stated as told by the sources.

“The prolific right-hander is also unhappy with the fact that a personal issue, involving him, was highlighted frequently by a media house which has close ties with the team owners.”

Babar Azam to leave Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 2022?

The report said, while Babar Azam has personally decided to leave the Karachi Kings, the franchise’s ownership group and team management aren’t so keen to let him go considering he is the biggest name in Pakistan cricket right now.

A fallout with the all-format national skipper may lead to a decline in Kings’ popularity and fanbase and thus they would love to resurrect the souring relationship with him.

When cricketpakistan.com.pk approached Kings’ media manager Faisal Mirza and sought a word from him on the matter, Mirza tried to downplay the fallout reports, saying there is “no discord” between Babar and the franchise.

Beginning his PSL career with Islamabad United, Babar Azam joined Karachi Kings ahead of the second edition of the tournament in early 2017. Since then, he has had an influential presence in the side’s batting unit, with multiple prolific seasons with the bat. He was the top scorer for the PSL 2020 where Kings lifted the coveted trophy for the very first time.