Karachi Kings
Karachi Kings Squad
Karachi Kings went into the PSL 11 (2026) auction with a clear strategy: build a “Galactico” style lineup by securing world-class international talent. They made waves by signing Australian legend David Warner for PKR 7.9 Crore and the world’s top-ranked T20 spinner, Adam Zampa.
Here is the complete Karachi Kings squad for the 2026 season
Retained & Direct Signings
Karachi retained a solid domestic core and used their direct signing slot on one of the best spinning all-rounders in the world.
Hasan Ali (Retained – PKR 4.76 Crore)
Abbas Afridi (Retained – PKR 3.08 Crore)
Khushdil Shah (Retained – PKR 3.36 Crore)
Saad Baig (Retained – PKR 60 Lakh)
Moeen Ali (Direct Overseas Signing – PKR 6.44 Crore)
Players Bought in the Auction
The Kings were the big spenders of the afternoon, securing several “A-list” players to bolster their batting and bowling.
Squad Analysis
The Warner-Azam Combo: Expect fireworks at the top and middle. With David Warner opening and Azam Khan coming in to finish, Karachi has some of the most feared strikers in the game.
The Spin Web: A spin attack featuring Adam Zampa, Moeen Ali, Salman Ali Agha, and Khushdil Shah will be incredibly difficult to play on the turning tracks of Karachi and Hyderabad.
Pace Variety: They have a mix of experience (Hasan Ali), left-arm swing (Mir Hamza), and raw pace (Ihsanullah).
David Warner
karachi kings Captain
Hassan Ali
James Vince
Kane Williamson
Abbas Afridi
Shaan Masood
Khushdil Shah
Irfan Niazi
Aamer Jamal
Arafat Minhas
Tim Seifert
Zahid Mehmood
Ben McDermott
Ben McDermott
Mir Hamza
Shahnawaz Dahani
Mamoon Imtiaz
Karachi Kings: The Quest for a Second Title in PSL 11
The Karachi Kings, one of the most prominent franchises in the Pakistan Super League, are gearing up for the 2026 season (PSL 11) with a major strategy shift. After a decade of the traditional draft system, the league has moved to an auction-based model, forcing the 2020 champions to make some tough calls regarding their core.
Owned by Salman Iqbal (ARY Group), the Kings recently renewed their franchise rights for another decade. Heading into the 11th edition, the team is looking to move past their Eliminator exit in 2025 and build a squad capable of bringing the trophy back to the City of Lights.
Key Retentions and New Leadership
Under the updated 2026 regulations, teams were restricted to just four retentions across different categories. The Kings have chosen to protect their local core:
Hasan Ali (Platinum): Promoted to the top tier, the veteran pacer remains the heartbeat of the bowling attack.
Abbas Afridi (Diamond): A rising star in the death overs, Afridi’s retention signals a focus on youthful aggression.
Khushdil Shah (Gold): Providing the left-handed power-hitting and a handy spin option in the middle order.
Saad Baig (Emerging): The young wicket-keeper batsman is seen as the future of the franchise.
While Shan Masood led the side in 2024 and 2025, rumors and recent transfers suggest a potential captaincy shift, with young sensation Saim Ayub heavily linked to the Kings ahead of the February 11 auction.
Management and Coaching
The Kings have kept their faith in a seasoned backroom staff to navigate the new auction dynamics:
Head Coach: Ravi Bopara
Bowling Coach: Shaun Tait
Team Director: Haider Azhar