Hassan Ali
Karachi Kings’ vice-captain, Hassan Ali, has addressed the controversy surrounding his earlier comments about former captain Babar Azam, offering clarification and an apology if his words offended anyone.
The remarks, which went viral, were made during a press conference after the Kings’ loss to Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL 10) at the National Stadium Karachi.
Hassan had previously said, “King will do it,” referring to Babar Azam, a statement that generated significant attention and sparked mixed reactions among fans and the cricket community. Hassan explained that his comment was never meant to disrespect or offend anyone. He reiterated his deep respect for Babar, describing him as “our product” and reaffirming that the team remains fully supportive of him.
“I respect Babar Azam. He’s our product, and we stand behind him. If I said that ‘King will not run and he starts scoring, I’ll say the same thing again,’” Hassan clarified, adding that if his words caused offense, he sincerely apologized. However, he emphasized that his belief in Babar’s abilities remained unchanged and that the star player would certainly make a strong comeback.
The controversy around his comment had been fueled by growing discussions about Karachi Kings’ performances and the contrasting fortunes of Babar, who now leads Peshawar Zalmi. Earlier, Hassan’s comment, “We made Babar the King, and we will bring him down,” had sparked even more debate, prompting him to offer further clarification.
Addressing the broader issue of public criticism, Hassan acknowledged that constructive feedback was essential for player growth, but personal attacks—especially those involving players’ families—went too far.
He expressed how such remarks, particularly those heard from fans during matches, could affect players emotionally, though they try to respond with improved performances. He cited an example of his teammate Khushdil Shah being verbally abused during a tour in New Zealand.
Hassan, reflecting on his own career aspirations, revealed that he still dreams of representing Pakistan at the international level. At 29, he believes that with continued good performance, an opportunity for a national comeback will eventually come his way.
In response to Karachi Kings’ recent defeat, Hassan admitted that the team had failed to form strong batting partnerships and had made poor shot selections under pressure. “We made mistakes in batting. Some shots were unnecessary at crucial moments, and partnerships didn’t develop,” he said. However, Hassan expressed confidence that the team would address these issues in their next team meeting and hoped to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
