LAHORE - All-rounder Imad Wasim has been appointed the captain of the Karachi Kings (KK) for the third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) set to take place in 2018.

The announcement was made in a press conference on Tuesday which was attended by PSL franchise owner Salman Iqbal, president Shahid Afridi and the star players. Several celebrities and former cricketers also arrived at the media talk where the important decision was announced.

Imad’s appointment was announced by Shahid Afridi, the president of the franchise. Afridi also announced that he’ll play as a normal player under Imad’s captaincy. “I didn’t want to take the role of the captain because it adds undue pressure. Imad has matured enough to lead the side and all my support is with him,” Afridi said.

Since the opening edition, the captaincy role at the franchise has been a bit of a musical chair. When Shoaib Malik stepped down as the skipper ahead of the play-offs in the first season, Ravi Bopara dispensed the duties. In the last edition, Sri Lanka stalwart Kumar Sangakkara had led the side.

Kings would look to inch closer to a podium finish in the third edition, having finished third and fourth in the past two editions. To achieve that, newly-appointed skipper Imad Wasim promised to bring ‘aggression’ to the table, something he believes has worked for him at the international level too.

"I have been playing with aggression in the national team and same aggression will be seen in Karachi Kings. I will not only lead the team in best way possible, but will also better my individual performance in the field," Imad said.

The all-rounder also termed captain Sarfraz Ahmed as the best thing ever which has happened to Pakistan cricket. “Sarfraz is leading the side in a good manner and has instilled confidence in players and there’s no need for him or anyone else to think about becoming Pakistan’s captain in his presence. He doesn’t eye personal pride, he is always there for Pakistan and wants to do the best for the country,” Imad said.

Imad also said that no player ever feels offended for being scolded by Sarfraz in the field as everyone realises that it is for the betterment of the team. “Sarfraz is always like this, he’s like a brother to us and everyone knows his style of leading the side. Those who don’t know him are making an issue, but we are comfortable with the way he’s leading the team,” said Imad and added: “Sarfaraz is good enough a captain and there’s no need for me or anyone else to think of captaincy.”

Imad also credited the team’s management for giving confidence to all the players, saying that the current atmosphere in the dressing room is the best he has ever seen. He added that players have realised how to carry the game and the team has started playing aggressive cricket which is need of the time. “Team management deserves all the credit, the management is dealing with us very well. We have all realised the importance of fitness. We have understood how to carry the game. We have now started playing attacking cricket which is must for every format of the game,” he said.

“Coach, batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach… everyone in management has been supporting players and the team environment is very morale-boosting, which is giving us confidence. The team atmosphere has given us the confidence that the Pakistan team is now capable of beating any team in the world,” said the all-rounder.

He also emphasised on individual performance and said that he’s working hard to perform according to the team’s requirements. “Performance is everything for you, if you perform you’ll remain in the team and if you don’t you are out. You can’t survive on basis of favoritism. How much you’re respected in the team’s dressing room should matter for everyone,” Imad said.