New Zealand’s Tim Seifert, the wicketkeeper-batter, won’t feature in PSL 11. He has decided to forego the next season due to other professional obligations, according to the player himself.
A regular sight in the recent PSL seasons, Seifert has been a steady unit for Karachi Kings and is counted as one of the more dependable overseas stars for them. “I’m 31 now. I’m not going to risk my injury. I won’t be participating in PSL 11,” communicated Seifert to a sports channel in an online interview after Melbourne Renegades’ match against Perth Scorchers in the BBL.
He spoke of his fond memories of playing in the league and said: “I love playing in the PSL; it’s always a good time. Right now, I’ve got another opportunity so I won’t be able to attend this year’s. But I truly enjoyed my last two years in PSL.”
The absence will come as a disappointment for the Karachi Kings side, where he has been playing an integral part. In his stint with PSL, the New Zealander has so far played 17 matches, scoring 424 runs with an average of 24.94 and a strike rate of 141.33 keeping in mind that he normally opens the batting.
Seifert is known for his attacking stroke-play and his exceptional wicket-keeping skills. He has made a name for himself in the international T20 circuit among many leagues. Leagues he has played for include the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, ILT20, Lanka Premier League, and the Indian Premier League.
Internationally, Seifert has been a consistent part of New Zealand’s white-ball cricketing squads, especially in T20Is. Seifert has played four ODIs and 77 T20Is for his nation, scoring a total of 1,850 runs in T20Is at an impressive strike-rate of 142.52, including 12 fifties. PSL has always been attractive to Kiwi talent, but what makes Seifert’s choice even more significant is that squads are finding it increasingly difficult to retain international talent with such a congested international schedule of T20 leagues. Now, with PSL11 just around the corner, Karachi Kings, like other PSL teams, are expected to shuffle their player decks, but there is always hope of a return.
