The Shan Masood-led Karachi Kings faced a major setback before their clash against Quetta Gladiators on February 29. As many as 13 players suffered from food poisoning including three overseas players Leus Du Plooy, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Daniel Sams.
As per a report by Geo News, one of the 13 players was taken to a local hospital. The report did not reveal the name of the player.
However, the report mentioned that the players did not order any food from outside the hotel since it is not allowed.
Earlier, Sams and James Vince did not feature in Karachi Kings' previous clash against Islamabad United on February 28 which they lost by seven wickets.
Major changes in Karachi Kings
Despite food poisoning to most of the players in the squad, Karachi Kings were able to field a side against Quetta Gladiators. Skipper Masood had to make four forced changes to the playing even as he replaced Leus du Plooy, Mir Hamza, Aamir Khan, and Tabraiz Shamsi with Vince, Anwar Ali, Zahid Mahmood and Blessing Muzarabani respectively.
Karachi Kings’ playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Tim Seifert (wk), James Vince, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Nawaz, Irfan Khan, Anwar Ali, Hasan Ali, Zahid Mahmood, Blessing Muzarabani
Karachi Kings’ mixed bag season so far
Before the clash against Quetta Gladiators, they had two losses from two games. They were placed fifth on the points table with a net run rate (NRR) inferior to Islamabad United.
In the first game, they lost to Mohammad Rizwan's Multan Sultans by 55 runs despite Shoaib Malik's half-century in the run chase. They registered their first win of the season against Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi. Pollard's unbeaten 21-ball 49 helped them win by seven wickets as Babar’s half-century went in vain.
In their next clash, Karachi Kings registered a two-wicket win in a last-ball thriller. Once again, Pollard starred in the run chase. The Caribbean all-rounder smashed five sixes in a 33-ball 58.
Masood’s poor form
Meanwhile, Masood's form has been a concern. The opener has not been able to get Karachi Kings off to fiery starts. His high score from five innings is 30 which came at a strike rate under 100.
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