David Warner calls out PSL XI snub as Karachi Kings get zero picks for Team of the Tournament

KARACHI: David Warner has questioned the exclusion of Karachi Kings players from the Pakistan Super League Season 11 Team of the Tournament, raising concerns over the selection criteria.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the lineup on Monday, naming Babar Azam as captain after he led Peshawar Zalmi to the title with a dominant individual campaign.

The selected XI featured three players each from Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, two each from Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, and one each from Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.

Notably, no players from Karachi Kings or Rawalpindi-based sides were included in the 12-player list.

The team was selected by a five-member panel drawn from the tournament’s commentary group, which also finalised the Emerging Team of the Tournament.

Warner took to Instagram to react to the omission, commenting under the PSL’s official post: “Where is Karachi players?”

His remarks come despite strong individual performances from Karachi players. Warner himself scored 256 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 147.97, including three half-centuries. Fast bowler Hasan Ali also impressed, picking up 15 wickets in nine matches and finishing among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.

Fans also voiced strong reactions, particularly over the inclusion of Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan.

“Shaheen to bilkul deserve nahi kerta, maaaf ker du,” one user wrote, while another questioned, “Shaheen & Shahdab on what basis?”

Several fans pointed out notable omissions, including Sahibzada Farhan. “No Farhan?” one user asked, while another added, “Where is Usman Tariq?”

Criticism also focused on Shadab Khan’s inclusion, with one comment reading, “Shahdab kis performance pr?” Others mocked the selection process altogether, calling it a “parchi team” rather than a merit-based XI.

The 11th edition of the PSL featured 44 matches played between March 26 and May 3 across Lahore and Karachi.

In the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Hyderabad Kingsmen to secure their second PSL title. Hyderabad were bowled out for 129, with Saim Ayub scoring 54. In reply, Zalmi recovered from 40-4 through an 85-run stand between Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad, with Hardie finishing unbeaten on 56 to seal victory.

PSL 11 Team of the Tournament:

Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) (c), Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars), Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi) (wk), Shan Masood (Multan Sultans), Usman Khan (Hyderabad Kingsmen), Shadab Khan (Islamabad United), Hassan Khan (Hyderabad Kingsmen), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars), Hunain Shah (Hyderabad Kingsmen), Sufyan Moqim (Peshawar Zalmi), Richard Gleeson (Islamabad United) and Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators) (12th player).