Karachi Kings Owner Reveals Why Babar Azam Left

In a development that sheds new light on one of the most talked-about moves in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal has finally revealed the reason behind the franchise’s decision to trade Babar Azam ahead of PSL 2023. Speaking candidly, Iqbal confirmed that the parting of ways came down to a difference in vision over Babar’s batting position.

“We wanted him to bat at number three,” Salman Iqbal stated in a recent media interaction with Waseem Badami. “But he didn’t want to. That’s why we were forced to release him.”

The comment, though brief, confirms what had long been speculated: that the franchise and its marquee player were no longer aligned in terms of team strategy. Karachi’s management, aiming to inject more aggression into their top order, sought a powerplay enforcer up front—a role they believed could be better served by someone else.

Babar, however, has been unwavering about opening the innings throughout his T20 career. For both Pakistan and in franchise leagues, the stylish right-hander has consistently favored the anchor’s role at the top, allowing him to set the tempo and build his innings from the outset.

Out of his 90 innings in the PSL, 76 have come as an opener, during which he has put the following stat line:

Babar Azam’s PSL Stats as an Opener:

Babar Azam’s departure to Peshawar Zalmi from Karachi Kings sent shockwaves through the league. He had been the face of the Karachi Kings since the early years of the PSL, representing them in six seasons and was instrumental in their title-winning campaign in 2020. His exit, many believed, marked the end of an era—but also raised eyebrows over what had gone wrong behind closed doors.

Since the move, both parties have taken different paths. Babar took on the captaincy of Peshawar Zalmi and has enjoyed mixed success, while Karachi Kings have undergone multiple leadership and squad transitions, attempting to rediscover a winning formula.

Babar’s approach as a T20 opener—defined by fluency and accumulation rather than explosive power—has also become a topic of debate in Pakistan’s cricket circles. Some argue that his method does not meet the demands of modern T20 cricket, with the PCB also agreeing by dropping him from the team in recent series.

Salman Iqbal’s statement confirms that the Kings were leaning toward the same school of thought all those years ago.

Despite the bluntness of the trade, there appears to be no lingering bitterness from the franchise. However, with this revelation now in the open, the episode underscores a key theme in modern franchise cricket: even superstar players are not immune to the demands of tactical evolution.

Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi is scheduled to meet the Karachi Kings on April 21st, and whether Salman Iqbal’s comments raise the stakes of that encounter remains to be seen. Will Babar get his measure of revenge, or will the reason for his trade become apparent again? Fans can hardly wait to find out.

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