SHARJAH: Karachi Kings will be led by England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan after it emerged on Wednesday that regular skipper Imad Wasim won’t be available for the next two games of the HBL Pakistan Super League.
Imad is still recovering from a concussion after falling heavily on his back while completing the catch to dismiss Lahore Qalandars’ Sohail Khan during last Sunday’s match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Morgan, who arrived here the other day from New Zealand after leading England to a 3-2 victory in the ODI series, however said that he won’t be participating in the Pakistan leg matches, while citing family commitments as the reason.
“It has been a very hectic winter for me because I’ve been on the road since Dec 8 and playing regularly in various [T20] leagues and being on international duty as well,” Morgan told reporters during a practice session here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. “But unfortunately, I won’t be touring Pakistan as I want to spend time with family back home.”
If Karachi do qualify for the playoffs then there is a strong possibility of them playing in Lahore and Karachi also, if they make the final.
Left-handed Morgan, 31, further expressed best wishes for Pakistan by stating that international cricket would gradually return to the country in full flow.
“If you look back, last year’s PSL final in Lahore was successfully staged and I see steps are [being] taken to take back international cricket to Pakistan which is a move in the right direction, I guess,” the Dublin-born batsman said.
“I know how difficult it is to play away from home and Pakistan cricket has suffered in that regard. I sincerely hope that it [the efforts] would eventually pay off to hold cricket series in the country.”
While Morgan has opted to skip the Pakistan leg on personal grounds, some of the other overseas players competing here in the PSL have either already made up their minds to head home rather than play in the two playoff matches and the final.
Quetta Gladiators’ Kevin Pietersen isn’t budging from his stance when the former England batsman announced that he won’t tour Pakistan after already skipping the final in Lahore last year, while his team-mate Shane Watson would only play there if his family gives him the green signal.
But there are others who will play in the Pakistan. Luke Ronchi said on Tuesday night he’s comfortable in making the trip.
“I am definitely available for the playoffs and the final if Islamabad United go all the way,” the retired New Zealand wicket-keeper/batsman said after Islamabad defeated Multan Sultans. “Honestly, I’ve no qualms about playing in Pakistan where cricket is passionately followed.”
Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2018
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