Karachi Kings have appointed Phil Simmons, the former head coach of West Indies, to lead them in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.
The 60-year-old, celebrated for his World Cup triumph with the West Indies and coaching stints with several T20 franchises, joins the Kings in a move seen as crucial for their restructuring.
Expressing his excitement, Simmons mentioned his prior connection with Karachi, having played a World Cup match in the city in 1987. “Returning to Karachi feels like coming home. I’m thrilled to join forces with Haider Azhar and the team’s think tank, drawing from the rich cricketing heritage here,” he stated.
“We’re keen to rebuild Karachi Kings, creating a winning team,” he added.
Phil Simmons, known for his adeptness in limited-over formats, amassed 4,677 runs and claimed 87 wickets during his cricketing career.
In terms of trade, Karachi made moves before the draft. Skipper Imad Wasim was traded to Islamabad United, acquiring Hassan Ali in return. Additionally, Shan Masood arrived from Multan Sultans.
The Kings announced their retentions, comprising eight players across various categories, gearing up for the PSL.
The PSL season nine draft is scheduled for December 13, 2023, at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. The league plans to hold matches across four venues—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.
Teams will convene on February 12 for practice sessions and games over four days. The action kicks off on February 17 in Lahore, featuring Lahore Qalandars against Islamabad United. Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans face off in Multan the next day.
Notably, Karachi Kings and Islamabad United are set to clash in Karachi on February 28, while matches in Rawalpindi start on March 1 with United taking on Quetta Gladiators. The tournament includes six double-headers.
Karachi will host 11 matches, while Lahore and Rawalpindi will each host nine, and Multan will see five games. The playoffs and the final are scheduled for Karachi, culminating on March 17.