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Updated 17 Feb, 2022

Karachi Kings fans might be some of the unhappiest people on Earth these days.

Their team has been knocked out of the PSL 7 play-offs and after Wednesday night's seven-wicket loss to the Multan Sultans, the Kings now have eight consecutive defeats in a row, a first in PSL history. As if things weren't bad enough, fans saw their favourite captain, Babar Azam, being apparently told off by franchise president Wasim Akram as a camera focused on the two mid-game. Suffice to say moods turned even more sour after that.

Akram and Azam were caught talking on camera, with Akram gesturing towards the field and Azam throwing his hands up in defeat. People interpreted it as Akram scolding Azam.

The former cricketer responded to the pictures on Twitter, saying the situation was blown out of proportion. "What I was saying was ‘why our bowlers are not bowling yorkers or slower ones offside off’. Nothing else . Babar is a wonderful boy and has tried his best. And what he wants for dinner," he wrote.

But his explanation didn't reach many fans who went after him on Twitter. "Sorry legend, but this is not the way to treat with a champion," read a tweet addressing Akram on social media.

"This is just not acceptable," said one user.

"He is our hero and the world’s best [cricket] player. Winning and losing is part of [the] game, you cannot scold him like this!" another exclaimed.

Azam doesn't need a PSL win, he's already the best in the world, chanted the KK and Babar Azam fan clubs collectively. Fans have previously touted Azam as the Karachi Kings' sole line of defence, saying he's been carrying the team on his own and that's certainly not one man's responsibility.

"PSL performance doesn't matter," a fan said. "Babar Azam is born to rule international Cricket that's it!"

Azam fans have always outweighed Azam critics so far. The love they have for their captain is just too pure.

"Is smile pe 10 PSL trophies qurban [His smile is worth 10 PSL trophies]," a tweet read.

Overall, even their beloved Azam isn't enough to lift up fan spirits on Twitter.

Karachi Kings’ fans right now:

Memes and sarcasm are perhaps the only way Kings fans are coping in these tough times. "Once again I must remind everyone that the legend Salman Iqbal partnered with the government's sports channel to bring us the PSL in HD so we could all watch Karachi Kings go 0-10 in crystal clear quality," quipped one user.

"Karachi Kings to all other teams"

Apparently it's been a long time since the Kings actually won a PSL match. "Last time Karachi Kings won a PSL Match, Petrol price was Rs110," a tweet reminded everyone.

It's a tough time to be loyal to the Karachi Kings. Our condolences (and respect) to all those who've vehemently stuck it out in the fan club so far. Maybe 2023 is when the Karachi Kings will finally bounce back.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Feb 17, 2022 01:22pm
United we stand, divided we fall.
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Tariq Feb 17, 2022 01:38pm
This is franchise ! If they are paying big bucks then they should prove their worth ! Aisa tau hoga
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M. Saeed Feb 17, 2022 01:45pm
There are some great lessons even in such record losing performances of Kings. A world's top player cannot transfer his skills to his team, if made Captain. Waseem is showing his real color and the loss of his sportsmanship.
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Slowtrack Feb 17, 2022 01:47pm
That's just like a father scolding his son. Do not make a mountain out of a molehill
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Asad Feb 17, 2022 01:55pm
One Punjabi scolding the other punjabi, both of them from Punjab, they have stakes in Punjab yet made to represent Karachi where they do not have stakes or pain to loss games. They are the real selected ones and it is Punjabs Quota System.
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Asfand Feb 17, 2022 02:05pm
Is he beyond reprimand, he is a super star but has to perform
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Asfand Feb 17, 2022 02:06pm
Very pathetic performance, heads must roll
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Qadir Feb 17, 2022 02:14pm
He should be scolded, 8 losses in a row!!!
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Obaid Feb 17, 2022 02:40pm
@Qadir Do you expect Babar to bowl yorkers instead of Jordan and the other bowlers? Aqal ko hath maar bahi
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Asad Feb 17, 2022 02:57pm
Most of the tweets are from lahoris rejoicing the plight of Karachi cricket fans. They only care about babar because he is from lahore. Babar is not bigger than a team that represents a city of 20 million people. If he performs poorly as a captain or player, he rightly deserves criticism and 'scolding'. I am with Wasim Akram on this.
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Raja Rental Feb 17, 2022 03:28pm
Pakistan is country of "Chaudhrys" And everyone pretends to be one.
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Anonymouseee Feb 17, 2022 03:44pm
Not a big deal. Emotions always come out now n then. In the end, Babar Azam is still the no.1 player in the world and Wasim a legend of the game. United we stand.
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Chacha Feb 17, 2022 03:57pm
Don’t take PSL seriously
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Texan Feb 17, 2022 04:26pm
This loosing steak is good for Babar as a captain. Golden boy needs to improve his captaincy skills and he will learn from leading a little weaker team who lost three close games that they should have won! Rizwan, Shadab and Sarfraz have done better as a captain. Nothing wrong with Wasim putting some pressure on him and rightly telling him to think about bowling in death. It was pathetic.
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Syed Ahmed Feb 17, 2022 04:49pm
Waseem akram should be replaced
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Shahid Feb 17, 2022 05:15pm
A match fixer scolding an honourable cricketer
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nazim Feb 17, 2022 05:26pm
Wasim was absolutely right if he was angry. A lot passion and money is involved in this sport. On defeat, mere saying it was not our day is not ok. Like any other job responsibility has to be taken and it's captain ultimately. I am with Akram.
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ShahNoor Feb 17, 2022 05:28pm
Waseem Akram is as arrogant as his mentor Imran Khan
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Zulfiqar Feb 17, 2022 05:34pm
That’s why Wasim Akram has never been considered for coaching roles by PCB. Too much ego there
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Usman Ahmad USA Feb 17, 2022 06:26pm
Waseeqa Akram did what ever he. could at his time Now his time is over. Don’t scold the best crickter in the world to bring his moral down. You keep your celebrity with you and stay in Australia.
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HaippyCamlee Feb 17, 2022 06:51pm
Those who think performance in franchise cricket will not transfer over to international cricket are mistaken. This is exactly how you build or loose confidence
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Alam Feb 17, 2022 07:24pm
President and mentor of Karachi Kings scolding the best player of the team and Pakistan !
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sultan Feb 17, 2022 08:29pm
Eight losses in a row. Should have been fired on the ground by Waseem.
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N_Saq Feb 17, 2022 09:15pm
If PSL is a real contest and player and management are playing to win then these incidents are expected because it is matter of franchises reputation. Also, jobs and money are at stake. I am surprise that this doesn't happen quite often.
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Manish Feb 17, 2022 09:37pm
Wasim is a Legend of world cricket, very few cricketer can match his feet ..... dont drag this too much...
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Gargoyle Feb 17, 2022 10:03pm
Akram is shifting the blame to Azam to hide his incompetency. It would be better to have this conversation behind closed doors. Akram has no right to disrespect one of the finest players in the game. Shame on him.
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Gargoyle Feb 17, 2022 10:07pm
@Asad It is not about Akram scolding Azam. The issue is that he did that publically. Akram is equally responsible for the team's failure. What has he done to improve the team's performance?
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SeriousGuy Feb 17, 2022 10:17pm
Former No.1 Virat Kohli had similar issues with his IPL team.......doesn't mean the captain be blamed for everything. Mostly the team combination is the cause of failure. Look at Lahore Qalandar today......all because of team combination.
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Salman Feb 17, 2022 10:31pm
Just shows how ordinary Babar is as a leader, despite being a champion batsman. Reminds me of Sachin in the 90s. Rizwan is proving himself to be a much better leader
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GreenAura Feb 17, 2022 11:00pm
Ehh? These attention seeking twitterati need to grow up and play real competitive sports. There is nothing wrong with Azam being scolded for screwing up, just as Akram would have been years back. Twitterati are poor and feeble folk, desperate for validation, so will say anything for clicks and mutual back slaps. I am sure Azam himself isn't offended by Akram doing what he is supposed to do.
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TPA Feb 18, 2022 12:02am
PSL is boring
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Irfan N Feb 18, 2022 01:36am
@Asad shame on your thinking, go back to the rock you came out of
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Rukhsana Feb 18, 2022 03:55am
What is he suppose to do, hug Babar Azam on his mistake?
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Yawar Feb 18, 2022 06:43am
Karachi Kings bowling is by far the worst in the league. So why get upset at the captain?
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Yawar Feb 18, 2022 06:48am
The main purpose of PSL is to locate the best talent in the country. Unfortunately, unlike Peshawar no new talent identified in Karachi Kings.
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Yawar Feb 18, 2022 06:50am
@sultan Without Babar Azam, Karachi would be a club team
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Akil Akhtar Feb 18, 2022 06:52am
Babrs batting was abysmal in the last few games where he scored a 50 at snails pace and never looked like trying to win.
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Ga Feb 18, 2022 08:55am
@Asad , stop bringing ethnicities into this..all are Pakistanis
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Usman Feb 18, 2022 09:52am
What is this fuss all about? This is sports, if Waseem (PRESIDENT of franchise) considers that performance of the players is not at par, then he has all the right to question the captain. What do you think the president's job is?
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Owais Feb 18, 2022 10:06am
Wasim Akram appears to be just getting his frustration out or trying to pass on the blame of what could be his own failure. As president, If he is the one behind team combination and planning, then he is the main person to be blamed for making such a weak combination.
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Safir A Siddiqui Feb 18, 2022 11:08am
Poor captaincy showed the result.Eight straight defeats speak volume about poor leadership.I don’t mince my words. I call spade a Spade.
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M. Saeed Feb 18, 2022 02:00pm
Why not another unique award for Babar, for losing 8 straight games in PSL?
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