Karachi Kings sign Jason Roy as Muhammad Waseem’s replacement

KARACHI: Karachi Kings have brought in former England opener Jason Roy as a replacement for Muhammad Waseem for PSL 2026 after Waseem and Khuzaima bin Tanveer were called up by the UAE national side for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in Nepal.

The franchise confirmed the change and said the call-ups had created vacancies in the side’s top-order combination.

In an official statement, Karachi Kings said Roy’s addition would strengthen the batting unit at an important stage of the tournament. The franchise said, “Known for his fearless striking and vast experience in the T20 circuit, Roy is no stranger to the PSL, where he has consistently been one of the most destructive overseas batters. His arrival is set to bolster the Kings’ top order as the tournament enters its most critical phase.”

Roy is an experienced PSL player and has appeared in six editions of the league since its first season in 2016. He represented Lahore Qalandars in 2016 and later played for Quetta Gladiators from 2017 to 2024.

He also holds the record for the highest individual score in PSL history. That innings came in 2023, when he made 145 not out from 63 balls against Peshawar Zalmi in Rawalpindi. Across his PSL career, Roy has scored 1,260 runs at a strike rate of 146.51, including two centuries and eight half-centuries.

Karachi Kings looking to recover form

Karachi Kings started their campaign with three straight wins but have since suffered defeats in their last two matches. The team has not managed a win since the tournament moved to Karachi, a run that has added to concerns over consistency.

The opening combination has been one of the areas where the side has struggled. Muhammad Waseem scored 86 runs in five matches before his departure. David Warner, who opened with him in four games, has made 93 runs in four innings, with more than half of those runs coming in one innings.

In the match against Hyderabad Kingsmen on April 11, Reeza Hendricks opened alongside Waseem but was dismissed after scoring two runs from four balls.

The Kings are currently fourth on the points table and will next face Islamabad United on April 16. The management will be hoping Roy’s arrival gives the side greater stability as well as attacking intent at the top of the order.

Roy’s signing comes as Karachi Kings seek to improve their results in the latter part of the competition and address the lack of strong starts from their openers.