Pakistan’s new Test skipper Shan Masood has been traded to Karachi Kings from Multan Sultans ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 draft. Kings traded spinner Faisal Akram to acquire the services of Masood. Masood was a part of the Multan-based franchise which won the title in 2021.
Earlier, Karachi traded star all-rounder Imad Wasim for Hasan Ali. Recently retired from international cricket, Wasim joined Islamabad United. Wasim was also their captain and ‘Player of the tournament’ in the previous edition.
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With the captaincy post vacant, Masood is likely to lead Karachi in the upcoming season of PSL.
The left-handed batter scored 209 runs from seven games in the season, the third-highest for the team. He also led them in the 2020 edition.
The PSL 2024 draft is scheduled to take place at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on December 13, 2023 (Wednesday).
Meanwhile, Masood is set to make his Test captaincy debut on December 14 at Perth Stadium against Pat Cummins’ Australia.
The top-order batter started his preparations for the three-Test series in style. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, he scored a double century to help Pakistan post 391/9 before declaring against Prime Ministers XI. Masood remained unbeaten for 201 runs from 298 balls featuring 14 fours and a six.
Before his first Test as captain, Masood revealed his conversation with former skipper Babar Azam who stepped down from the role across formats after a dismal show in ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023.
"I had a conversation with him [Babar Azam] and it was about taking the team forward, how to take it forward, Babar's own role, and I think what you'll see in the future is that he's going to be in this team as a leader and the goal is to build a culture where there are many leaders, not just one captain doing everything," the 34-year-old told Cricket Pakistan.
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