Pakistani skipper Babar Azam and former coach Dean Jones have been ruling the Pakistani Twitterscape after franchise Karachi Kings lifted their maiden trophy at the Pakistan Super League 5 finale last night in Karachi.
Karachi Kings certainly did Dean Jones proud tonight 💙 #PSL2020 pic.twitter.com/TcjS7j3LLA
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 17, 2020
Imad Wasim, @KarachiKingsARY's captain, hailed the contribution of the late Dean Jones to the franchise's #PSL2020 title win ♥
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 18, 2020
A special victory for Karachi Kings, which coach Wasim Akram dedicated to the late Dean Jones 🌟 pic.twitter.com/RM5LIZdbfL
— ICC (@ICC) November 17, 2020
Karachi Kings had defeated Lahore Qalandars by five wickets, all hail to Azam whose brilliant game in the second innings cruised Karachi Kings to their first victory in PSL. The notable government entities, fans, and followers outpoured love and felicitation for KK on Pakistani social media.
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Meanwhile, the entire unit of KK including the captain Imad Wasim, the founder of the team Salman Iqbal and the players dedicated the victory to former coach Dean Jones who passed away in September during a sudden cardiac arrest while attending the Indian Premier League in Dubai.
My team karachi kings won. I am happy we concluded PSL in successfully in Pakistan. Hope next PSL will be played in the stadium full of cheering crowd inshallah. Congratulations @Salman_ARY & @wasimakramlive pic.twitter.com/rgwnicybWp
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) November 17, 2020
Congratulations Karachi Kings. A good win.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 17, 2020
The team paid a touching tribute to the Jones before the Qualifier match, as the players formed a ‘D’ formation in the field and posed with a cardboard cutout of Jones.
A touching tribute for Dean Jones before the Qualifier in the Pakistan Super League today ❤️
📸 @thePSLt20 pic.twitter.com/21QBtFqD6c
— ICC (@ICC) November 14, 2020
The big screen also displayed the message: “Forever in our hearts, Deano!”.
Cricket analyst and author Freddie Wildie said: “ the final is undoubtedly the biggest match in the league’s history, pitting Pakistan’s two major cities against one another”, while Jones deserved to experience the moment.
“It’s tragic & so sad that Dean Jones isn’t there to witness it but their triumph is a fitting tribute to their coach,” Wilde tweeted of Karachi’s victory.
Karachi Kings dedicates win to Dean Jones
Captain Wasim said: “I want to give Dean Jones credit for this win. He taught us things about cricket that very few coaches can teach you. This win is for Dean Jones, (owner) Salman Iqbal and (interim coach) Wasim Akram.”
Meanwhile, during the match, King’s official Twitter ran a campaign, #DoItForDeano and after winning the trophy the team wrote: “Deano this one is for you!!!”
Jones had coached the teams in all the five seasons of the PSL. He won two titles for Islamabad United before commencing his stint with Karachi Kings.
Wife Jane Jones, also posted a heartfelt post on the victory of Karachi Kings last night. She thanked the entire unit of KK and the people of Pakistan for remembering him on the occasion.
Congratulations @KarachiKingsARY on a great win tonight! Deano would be so emotional & happy for his boys who have worked so hard under extreme circumstances. Big thanks to @wasimakramlive @Salman_ARY @iamShaniera @simadwasim & Pakistan for all their love & support ❤️💙
— Jane Jones (@Janey_Jones_) November 17, 2020
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“Congratulations @KarachiKingsARYon a great win tonight! Deano would be so emotional & happy for his boys who have worked so hard under extreme circumstances. Big thanks to @wasimakramlive@Salman_ARY@iamShaniera@simadwasim & Pakistan for all their love & support,” wrote Jones on Twitter.
GVS News Desk