Pakistani star batsman Babar Azam is unhappy with his franchise Karachi Kings’ move to demote him from platinum category to diamond category, a local media report claimed.
According to the report, Azam withdrew the initial request submitted by the franchise to relegate him and said that he wants to remain in the platinum category.
“Karachi Kings had submitted a relegation request for Babar Azam to be part of the diamond category, however, Azam has withdrawn the request stating that he would like to remain in the platinum category,” the report said.
The young batsman felt degraded at Kings’ request regarding his relegations as he is currently the number one batsman in the shortest format of the game, the report said, adding that this has now put the Kings in a conundrum as far as retention in platinum categories is concerned.
Kings platinum players now include Azam, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Colin Ingram and Colin Munro, with the team being allowed to retain three players from the list, including one foreign player.
Had Azam agreed to the relegation, it would have become easier for Karachi Kings to retain him along with Aamir, Afridi and a foreign player in the roster.
The deadline for relegation request has passed leaving the King no chance for another request unless the Pakistan Cricket Board allows.
The teams have time till November 13th to confirm their retention before a final list for the players draft is released.
PSL4 will commence from February 14, 2019.