Few days after parting ways with Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi, former all-rounder and skipper Shahid Afridi has announced his decision to join Karachi Kings as its president.
Confirming the news, Karachi Kings wrote on their official Facebook account, "Cricketing legend and Pakistan's pride Shahid Afridi joins as President #Karachikings! Congratulations to #Karachikings team and welcome Shahid Afridi." The 37-year-old all-rounder is expected to feature for the team as a player, too, in the third edition of the PSL in 2018, though this is yet to be confirmed.
Last month, Afridi had announced via his Twitter account that he was leaving Peshawar Zalmi after two years with the franchise owing to personal reasons. "I'm announcing my end of service as president and player of Peshawar Zalmi Team due to my personal reasons," he had tweeted.
Later, Afridi had also blamed Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi's changing vision for leaving the team, the Dawn reported. "I didn't want to be a hindrance in his new goals and vision. I have a lot of commitments to my own foundation, so I wouldn't be able to give my services completely to him also. There a lot of projects of my foundation that I need to set my focus on," Afridi had said while talking to a private news channel.
At that time, Afridi had also hinted that he might play for another franchise in the PSL next year while adding that he was certain his Zalmi fans would support him for all his career choices. Zalmi won the PSL title in 2017 after thrashing Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs in the final held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Afridi, who was forced to miss the summit showdown due to a finger injury that he sustained during the playoffs in the UAE, had notched up 177 runs at an average of 25.28 besides taking two wickets in 10 matches he played suring the second edition of the PSL.
