David Warner lauds team effort as Karachi Kings edge a tense low-scoring chase. Photo: PSL
KARACHI:
Karachi Kings captain David Warner expressed satisfaction with his team’s recent performances in the Pakistan Super League, crediting their spin attack and improved momentum in crucial phases of the game.
Reflecting on a recent run chase, Warner said, “the last game chasing a smaller total I was a little bit nervous, but the guys have been playing very well and I think the spinners specifically performed brilliantly,the last two games have been outstanding, they have been able to bring the momentum back our way in the middle overs and that’s been able to win us both games I feel.”
Speaking about the match against Lahore Qalandars, he emphasized the importance of securing the result. “For us it was about winning the game first and foremost and making sure we got the job done. When you’re chasing low totals it can be difficult, we sort of got it down to the wire and thankfully Mohammad Abbas came out, in his first game this year and he hit two boundaries to win the game for us.”
When asked about standout performers, Warner highlighted Saad Baig. “it’s Hard to say one, – I think Saad baig has come back a very good player from last year, he looked like more positive, good intent, last year he was finding his feet inside the team and this year I think he’s impressed me from what I’ve seen so far ”
Warner also spoke about playing in empty stadiums. “Look I think, you know In unprecedented times, we’ve played before in that environment and you know for us its about putting smiles on peoples faces and helping others out by entertaining on tv, so for us without the crowds clearly their energy, it brings a different energy to you and being in front of crowds is what you want but if they are coming back which I think they are, it would be exciting for everyone”
He praised Salman Ali Agha for his support on the field. “Salman Ali Aga is very good player , he’s helping me a lot on the field, he understands a lot of the players which I think is very helpful for me and I think having an experienced player like himself there as someone who knows other players from the other teams as well very well, its a bit of an advantage.”
On the presence of Australian players in the PSL, Warner said, “it makes everything comforting here, there’s a lot of downtime we are in the hotel a lot, we can’t go out much at all. So for us it’s about having coffee together, gelling each other and yeah trying to help a lot of young Pakistani players.”
Looking ahead, Warner made the team’s ambitions clear. “every time you’re playing in these tournaments you’re aiming for the final, irrelevant to where you come the year before. We are just going to try and keep playing better and smarter cricket.”
He also shared lighter moments from the tour. “after many requests they’ve given us one request that’s been done, so we enjoyed it, hopefully when we request some more we can go out and hopefully we can play golf at raya as well.”
Speaking about his stay, Warner added, “I haven’t tried any Pakistans food since I’ve been here but now my good friend Usman khawaja is here, I will be going down there with him”
On the league’s quality, he said, “I don’t like comparing other leagues around the world, I think each league is unique in their own way. I think what I can say is that the talent here in Pakistan, specifically you look at fast bowling, there’s a lot of guys that bowl high 140’s which I think is exceptional and they’re working on their skills and I think overall the competition is fantastic.”
Discussing his own performance, Warner remained ambitious. “hopefully I will try and score a 100 every time I go out there. If I can, I will.”
On his favourite left-handed batters, he said, “there’s a few Fakhar zaman is one.Saim ayob , is quicker on the pull shot as well so its probably similar to me.”
When asked about challenging bowlers, Warner responded, “Its hard to ask me as a batsman, because I don’t find any bowler difficult. I think one guy who is very skilful, I would say is shaheen shah Afridi but on our team we have got three very, very good skilful bowlers, Hasan Ali I’ve faced in the big bash this year, his skills are exceptional and obviously Mir hamza with the new ball is very difficult because he would swing the ball back into the left handers and Abbas Afridi change ups are very good.”
On his future, Warner said, “Im commentating at the moment,” before joking, “I’m thinking about making a come back in to international cricket, I think Australia needs me. I’m joking, I’ll coach, I’ll probably coach down the line but at the moment I’ve got no interest.”
