Jones weighs in on Kings' decision to appoint Imad over Babar as captain

Karachi Kings Head Coach Dean Jones has expressed his confidence in the franchise’s decision to appoint all-rounder Imad Wasim as captain over Pakistan’s current Twenty20 International (T20I) skipper Babar Azam , for the upcoming season of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL),

While talking to Pakpassion.net, Jones said that he expects Babar to help Imad in the field when the latter needs support.

“The decision to have Imad as captain is something the management has decided and I am fine with it,” Jones said.  “In my view, this may well give some time to Babar to get his form back in T20s which will be beneficial for his own game as well. Having said that, at this level, you would expect not one but 11 captains out there in the field lending their support to Imad, so I don’t think this is such an issue.”

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Jones also believes that left-hand opener Sharjeel Khan can redeem himself in the upcoming edition by providing explosive starts for the franchise.

Sharjeel was suspended and sent back home after the start of the second edition of PSL in Dubai in February, 2017.

The 29-year-old was later banned for five years, with half of his five-year ban suspended, by the anti-corruption tribunal of the PCB for his role in the spot-fixing scandal while playing for Islamabad United.

Jones was Islamabad United’s head coach when Sharjeel decided to get involved in the corrupt practice. However, that incident didn’t deter the former Australian cricket from picking him in his new side.

 “It’s not a risk to sign Sharjeel Khan. I’ve worked with him before and I know what he’s capable of. He has the array of shots to give us explosive starts and I’m sure he’ll be looking to make a good comeback and will be looking to reclaim a place in the Pakistan side,” he said.

Sharjeel is currently undergoing rehabilitation which includes includes attending and delivering lectures on the PCB Anti-Corruption Code, visits to orphanage homes as part of social service and participating in integration sessions with the Pakistan cricket team players and player support personnel.