DUBAI: The cash-rich Pakistan Super League (PSL) was hit by a major controversy here on Friday when Karachi Kings skipper Shoaib Malik resigned from his post due to his team’s poor show in the event.

His team-mate Ravi Bopara, one of the most successful players in the league, will now lead the Kings in the semi-final against Islamabad United.

Malik told ARY Digital that before taking this decision, he talked to the team management and has taken them in confidence.

“I would like to hand over the captaincy to Ravi and play the rest of the tournament as a player,” he said. “I never play for myself, I always play for the team, I will try to give my best for Karachi Kings and win the rest of the matches for the team,” said Malik.

Bopara is currently the second highest wicket-taker as well as the second highest run scorer of the tournament whereas Malik hasn’t been able to put up a decent show throughout the tournament despite trying out different batting positions in the lineup.

It may be mentioned here that on Wednesday, Bopara while talking to media after the game against Peshawar Zalmi, had questioned Malik’s decision of batting first after winning the toss.

He also criticised top players for not performing upto mark in the league including Malik, Shakib-al-Hassan and Lendl Simmons.

Bopara further citicised Karachi Kings’ overall performance in the tournament and said that his team did not deserve to qualify for next round.

“We played poorly throughout the league, we do not deserve to be through to play-off, if I be brutally true,” said Bopara.

Commenting about the standard of Pakistan Super League, Bopara said, “PSL is high on the cards, it is best league in the world, and ranks second after IPL.”

However, according to some news reports on Thursday, Bopara denied all the news related to his criticism on Malik’s captaincy and claimed that the atmosphere of Karachi Kings dressing room is extremely healthy and friendly.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2016