Babar Azam: Karachi’s Favorite, But Fighting for Form
Karachi loves Babar Azam so much, you’d think he wasn’t from the Walled City of Lahore but straight out of Gulistan-e-Johar. From the very first ball, chants of “Babar, Babar” echoed around the National Stadium.
But it’s no secret that the former captain is struggling with form. Karachi-born Mir Hamza troubled him early on—first with a close LBW appeal, then drawing a dropped catch in his second over. Babar survived, but the nerves remained.
After the powerplay, Zalmi were crawling at 27-1. In just one over from Abbas Afridi, Babar both mistimed a boundary and confidently pulled one while charging down the pitch—a strange mix of tension and intent.
A Glimpse of Confidence, Then Gone
Two crisp boundaries off Aamer Jamal pushed Babar’s strike rate past 100. He followed that up with a stylish cut shot against Khushdil Shah. But soon after, he was trapped in front by a quicker delivery. The foundation he had begun to build came undone.
Warner’s Relentless Energy in Karachi’s Heat
David Warner may be 38 years old, but you wouldn’t know it watching him field and run. His urgency, punches through the gaps, relentless singles, and constant glove adjustments all under the 40-degree Karachi heat showed a man with something to prove.
He was most animated when Irfan Khan Niazi got run out—waving his arms, kicking his bat in frustration. The third umpire, perhaps caught up in the moment, accidentally pressed “Not Out” before quickly correcting it to “Out.”
Warner Sets the Stage, Hasan Ali Seals the Win
Warner’s knock laid the platform, and vice-captain Hasan Ali—rapidly becoming a PSL fan favorite again—sealed the win. He struck the winning runs off medium-pacer Hussain Talat, an odd choice to bowl the final over with 9 needed to defend.
Karachi: A City Drifting Away from the PSL
There are still 23 matches left in this year’s PSL, but Karachi’s National Stadium—now renamed with a sponsor’s branding—won’t see another game.
With Quetta Gladiators moving their “home” matches to Lahore (and one to Rawalpindi), and no knockouts scheduled in Karachi, the city has been left with just five home games.
Ticketing Troubles and Fan Frustration
Poor crowd turnout isn’t just about scheduling. TCS’s ticketing system gave fans headaches—its website was throwing errors right up to matchday, and their physical branch staff confirmed that many people were facing the same issue.
In an age where you can order food to your doorstep through an app in minutes, an international logistics company still hasn’t figured out how to print and deliver match tickets smoothly.
Policing or Problem? Why Fans Feel Unwelcome
Every gate around the stadium was manned by Sindh Police, treating every fan like a suspect. Inside the stadium, pickup trucks zipped around with little regard for spectator safety. Instead of being welcoming, the entire experience felt hostile.
The police should be there to support crowd management, not lead it. Trained professionals should be handling fans, not intimidating them.
Karachi Deserves Better
The PCB and PSL organizers need to rethink things. A city like Karachi deserves more than just five matches. If you want this city to fall in love with cricket again, give the fans respect, comfort, and a reason to show up.
