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Having finished fifth in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 standings, the Karachi Kings are determined to make a strong push this time around. The team will begin their PSL 10 journey on April 12 against Multan Sultans in the first doubleheader of the tournament.
Kane Williamson’s PSL 2025 status revealed by Karachi Kings boss Salman Iqbal
However, Karachi’s preparations for a strong start to the PSL 2025 have hit a roadblock as their marquee signing, Kane Williamson, is set to miss the initial stretch of the tournament. In a recent interview, team owner Salman Iqbal confirmed that the New Zealand veteran will be unavailable for at least the first five matches of the season, including key fixtures against Multan, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi. This unexpected absence prompted the franchise to appoint Australian opener David Warner as captain in what will be his debut PSL season.
With the Kiwi maestro out of action, the Karachi felt the need to entrust leadership to someone with experience and global stature. “Kane might as well captain us via Zoom for the first few games,” Iqbal quipped, humorously underlining the seriousness of Williamson’s absence. The situation called for a quick pivot, and Warner – known for his aggressive leadership style and big-match temperament – was the natural choice.
watch @KarachiKingsARY CEO @Salman_ARY explain the decision of picking David Warner over Kane Williamson for captaincy & deciding to move on from Shan Masood as captain..only on @relukattay 📹 pic.twitter.com/NDJ0NdGQHq
— The Relukattay Show (@relukattay) April 7, 2025
Though the franchise stopped short of revealing precise details regarding Williamson’s absence, several plausible explanations have emerged. Firstly, he is currently recovering from a quad strain sustained during the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which has sidelined him from the recent T20I and ODI series against Pakistan. Some media sources also suggested that Williamson may also have Indian Premier League (IPL) – related commitments related to commentary duties during the 2025 season. These overlapping obligations have made it challenging for the New Zealand batter to join the Kings at the start of their campaign.
Also READ: From Alastair Cook to Wasim Akram: Here’s the full list of commentators for PSL 2025
A late draft steal and a strategic gamble
Interestingly, Williamson wasn’t picked during the initial PSL 2025 draft but was snapped up later by Kings in the supplementary round—a decision that drew both curiosity and praise. The move was viewed as a clever long-term investment, especially considering his potential impact once fit. Now, with the earliest projected return date being April 25, ahead of their second clash against Gladiators, Karachi will hope the wait pays dividends later in the season.
In the meantime, the responsibility to anchor the team lies with David Warner and fellow overseas recruits Tim Seifert and Adam Milne. Warner’s appointment as captain brings a wealth of international experience, and the franchise will be counting on his explosive batting and assertive field leadership to navigate through the opening matches. While the initial absence of Williamson is a blow, the Kings’ blend of youth, experience, and overseas firepower offers hope that they can remain competitive until their star recruit finally takes the field.
