Many players wanted to leave Karachi Kings because of Amir: Salman Iqbal

Karachi Kings’ owner Salman Iqbal, in a YouTube video, revealed that many players in the franchise wanted to leave after the arrival of fast-bowler Mohammad Amir.

The 46-year-old claimed that the Karachi Kings franchise faced criticism from all quarters due to Amir’s tainted past.

“Many players were very angry [with Amir’s return]. I have always been fond of stirring the pot. Without controversy, life has no flavour. When we picked Amir in the first season, we were criticised. People were very angry with us. Many players, who played from Karachi Kings, said we will not play for this franchise. We will not enter the draft because we don’t want to go to Karachi Kings. We handled that pressure as well,” Iqbal said.

ALSO READ: Imamul Haq ‘desperate’ to banish Test demons

Iqbal also stated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should play their role in grooming the players, in order to prepare them to face the realities of international cricket.

“I have a strong belief, that when a person commits a mistake and accepts it, they should be allowed to move on. Humans make mistakes. If he makes the same mistake a second time, I would never side with them,” he said.

“PCB has a massive role to play in this regard. The players need to be groomed apart from polishing their skills. An individual has to be strong internally. These players are at a crucial and delicate stage. They get so much fame and popularity at such a young age. It is hard for them to manage this. Education and grooming is important in this regard. If these things can’t be learned from home, then it is our job to do it,” he added.

Iqbal stated that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises could change the fabric of Pakistan cricket if they are inducted in the new domestic system.

“This new domestic structure, if given to the PSL franchises, we will give them seven to eight players who are trained not just in cricket but education and religion as well,” he concluded.