The biggest trade of the HBL Pakistan Super League was finalised here on Tuesday as Karachi Kings confirmed the signing of ‘Boom Boom’ Shahid Afridi from Peshawar Zalmi. Afridi officially moved to Karachi Kings from Peshawar Zalmi, in the first trade of Pakistan Super League’s 3rd edition. The former Pakistan captain, who is also the president of the PSL team Karachi Kings, formally joined the team’s squad for PSL-3.
Termed the “Blockbuster Trade of The Year,” Karachi Kings clinched ‘Boom Boom’ in return for their Gold and Silver pick. The development was also shared by Karachi Kings and PSL official account on social media.
Afridi played a pivotal role in Zalmi’s victorious campaign last season before missing the final because of injury. The former Pakistan skipper will now represent Karachi Kings in the PSL-3. As part of the trade, Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings will be swapping picks in the Gold and Silver categories of the Player Draft.
The PSL franchise tweeted, “Shahid Afridi, the King of Hearts, joins Karachi Kings as President and Player! Welcome Lala!” The PSL account tweeted, “The Blockbuster Trade of the Year! Karachi Kings clinch Boom Boom Afridi in return for their Gold and Silver pick!”
Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi thanked Shahid Afridi for his efforts. “Shahid is a world-class player and the entire Peshawar Zalmi family thanks him for his contributions to our team,” said Javed Afridi. “He is like a brother and we wish him the very best of luck in this new journey.”
Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal expressed his delight that the trade was finalised. “Shahid Afridi is the biggest name in Pakistan cricket and we are extremely pleased to have him on board,” said Iqbal. “Afridi brings a wealth of experience and a never-say-die attitude to our dressing room,” added the Karachi Kings owner.
Afridi had recently parted ways with Peshawar Zalmi, the PSL franchise he had played for the two seasons of the tournament. Last month, Afridi took to Twitter to make public his decision, saying that he was ending his services with Peshawar Zalmi, 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 wrote. However, earlier this month, Afridi blamed Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi’s changing vision for leaving the team.
“There are a few personal things that I don’t want to be highlighted in the media,” said Afridi. “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.”
