Babar, Sharjeel will be Karachi's first choice opening pair: Imad

Karachi Kings’ skipper Imad Wasim, while talking in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, revealed that opener Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan are likely to open for the franchise despite the presence of New Zealand’s veteran opener Martin Guptill.

The 32-year-old stated that the team management will discuss the opening pair after careful considerations of the requirements of the team.

“I am the sort of person who doesn’t like to change the openers. We will have a discussion about it. It depends on the position we are in. I have no intentions of making too many changes. So I think you are probably going to see Babar [Azam] and Sharjeel [Khan] to be honest. We will do whatever is necessary for the team. We will sit together and talk to Babar, Sharjeel and Guptill. But I probably think Babar and Sharjeel will open for us,” Imad said.

The all-rounder claimed that there was no pressure as far as defending the title was concerned and the players would give their 100 percent in all situations.

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“There is not a lot of pressure as far as defending the title is concerned. There can be nothing better for us than to defend our title. It is not in our mind though. Our first target is to make it to the final four. We will plan for each match individually. Karachi Kings’ combination is really good in both batting and bowling departments. The hot weather can affect the players to a significant degree. The dew at night can also create a lot of problems for all teams. Dew would really impact the spinners,” he said.

“Our performances in Karachi are a thing of the past. It is a new environment and new conditions now. There are also some changes in the team. We will come into the ground with renewed energy. Every match and performance matters. Our priority will be to make decisions based on merit. The main task is for the team to win. All teams will come to the ground with great preparations. Everyone wants to win the trophy. All the players have been told to give their 100 percent,” he added.

Imad also stated that he could consider coming up the order in the batting department if the team needs him at a higher position.

“If my team needs it, then I can consider batting a little higher in the order. Individual performances however are not the aim. I will do whatever is good for the team. If I feel that other bowlers are bowling better than me, then I will keep using them instead of bowling myself,” he concluded.