Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood on Thursday joined Karachi Kings ahead of the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Karachi Kings agreed on a trade deal with Multan Sultans to secure Masood’s services ahead of the upcoming PSL draft. The Karachi-based franchise parted ways with spinner Faisal Akram as part of the deal.

Furthermore, as part of the deal, Karachi gave up their first-round draught picks in the diamond and silver round categories. Masood captained Multan in the 2020 season and was a member of their PSL title-winning side in 2021. The southpaw scored 209 runs in seven games, finishing the season as the team’s third-highest run-getter in 2021.

Karachi Kings had earlier traded their captain and last season’s Player of the Tournament, Imad Wasim, for Islamabad United’s Hasan Ali. The Kings, who are now without a captain, have a vacancy for the leadership role in their squad. Shan Masood, Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test captain, appears to be the man to lead the Kings in the PSL 9, in which the franchise will contend for their second title.

Salman Iqbal, the owner of Karachi Kings, welcomed Shan Masood and expressed his delight at his participation in the squad. Shan Masood is an unquestionably beneficial addition to the Kings’ roster. Iqbal is certain that the forthcoming PSL 9 season will demonstrate the good impact of this smart signing, as he anticipates Masood’s depth of experience and skills would considerably enhance the club.

The Pakistan Super League Player draft 2024 will be held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on December 13, 2023. The main event is tentatively scheduled from February 8 to March 24, 2024.