Following Karachi Kings’ exit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 in Eliminator 1 against Lahore Qalandars, vice-captain Hasan Ali offered a heartfelt and honest reflection on the team’s journey and performance this season. Despite the disappointment of falling short of the final, the seasoned pacer highlighted the significant progress Karachi Kings made this year compared to previous seasons.
Addressing the media in the post-match press conference, Hasan Ali acknowledged the strong effort put forth by the team throughout the campaign, even though they couldn’t capitalize in the all-important knockout game. “It’s a disappointing moment for me. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win, but as a team, we played better cricket this season compared to the last three or four seasons,” he said, pointing to the team’s upward trajectory.
The Eliminator clash at Gaddafi Stadium saw Lahore Qalandars chase down a target of 191 with ease, losing just four wickets and completing the win with eight balls to spare. Karachi Kings set what was considered a competitive total, but the inability to pick up early wickets proved costly.
“The total was decent, but we couldn’t take wickets in the powerplay,” Hasan noted. He was full of praise for Lahore’s top-order duo, Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman, whose performances put the chase beyond Karachi’s control. “Abdullah and Fakhar both batted brilliantly,” he admitted.
Reflecting on the team’s execution during the match, Hasan conceded that there were areas where Karachi faltered. “We set a good target, but we didn’t bowl in the right areas during the powerplay,” he said, also pointing to some missed opportunities in the field.
On a personal level, Hasan Ali expressed deep satisfaction with his comeback and individual contributions. Having endured a career-threatening injury, his return to the field and to top-level cricket was both emotional and motivational. “It was very important for me to return to the team after facing a serious injury. Pakistan means everything to me, and being back in the squad was very special,” he shared.
“I am very satisfied with how I performed. My job is to work hard,” he added, reaffirming his commitment to continued growth and resilience.
Another positive from this season, according to Hasan, was the leadership of David Warner. The Australian veteran brought his vast international experience to the side and played a pivotal role as captain. “Having Warner with us was a big boost. We know how experienced he is in international cricket. Playing under his captaincy and learning from him as vice-captain was a great experience,” Hasan said.
Although Karachi Kings couldn’t progress to the final, Hasan Ali concluded his remarks with pride in the team’s performance and optimism for the future. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it to the final, but that was our goal,” he said. “Still, this season was a step forward.”
As PSL 10 nears its climax, Lahore Qalandars will now face Islamabad United in Qualifier 2 for a chance to meet Quetta Gladiators in the final on May 25. Meanwhile, Karachi Kings will reflect on a season of growth, hope, and a promising future under a renewed leadership core.
