Former Pakistan captain and Karachi Kings adviser Rashid Latif has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes saga that led to Babar Azam’s high-profile departure from Karachi Kings—a move that sent ripples across the Pakistan Super League and reshaped franchise dynamics heading into PSL 2023.
Speaking on his online show Caught Behind, Latif revealed that Karachi Kings had already decided to part ways with Babar before the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, suggesting the decision was not driven by form or performance alone, but rather by long-term planning and internal strategy.
“KK had already planned to release Babar Azam, but when Pakistan qualified for the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 under his captaincy, they contacted him again,” said Latif. “But Babar had already made up his mind to leave and move on.”
Rashid Latif’s revelation adds fresh layers to a separation that has recently resurfaced after Karachi Kings’ owner Salman Iqbal brought it to the fore. While it officially appeared amicable, there was always speculation that it carried undertones of discord. Babar’s final season at Karachi Kings was turbulent. Despite his stature as the national captain and the franchise’s marquee player, KK endured a dismal campaign, winning just one match in PSL 2022. The batter himself was far from his best, finishing sixth on the batting leaders list after topping the charts in 2020 and 2021.
Still, few expected the franchise to trade their biggest brand asset—a generational batting talent and the face of Pakistani cricket—to Peshawar Zalmi.
But if Rashid Latif’s comments are to be taken at face value, the decision to move on from Babar Azam had already been made internally by the Karachi Kings. The team was looking for a more aggressive option at the opening slot, as Salman Iqbal confirmed earlier.
Babar’s leadership came under heavy scrutiny in the early stages of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Pakistan lost their first two group games, and public pressure mounted. But a dramatic turnaround followed, culminating in a semi-final qualification that stunned many—a resurgence led by the resolve of Babar’s captaincy.
While Karachi Kings entered a transitional phase after Babar’s trade to Zalmi, the Peshawar franchise leaned into Babar’s consistency and star power, building a side that reflected his style—steady, composed, and built around a strong top order.
For Karachi Kings, the decision to let go of Babar was a bold one. Whether it pays off in the long term remains to be seen. For Babar, the move was a turning point—one that has since allowed him to operate as an opener, reclaim the scoring charts, embrace a new leadership role, and continue his stint as Pakistan’s premier cricketer on and off the field.
As PSL X rolls on, don’t be surprised if this chapter still fuels the fire when Babar faces his former team—on the pitch and in the legacy stakes.
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