David Warner’s return home from the PSL has taken a serious turn, with the Karachi Kings captain reportedly charged with mid-range drink driving in Sydney.
The former Australia captain, who has been leading Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, was back in Australia for a short break after a perfect start to the season in Pakistan. Under his captaincy, Karachi have won all three of their opening matches and sit second on the points table with six points.
That momentum now collides with an off-field controversy.
According to Australian outlet 9News, the incident occurred on Sunday evening in Sydney. Warner’s vehicle was stopped near a roadside testing point, where police officers conducted a breath test. The report states he returned a positive result and was then taken to a police station for further analysis.
A follow-up breath analysis allegedly recorded a reading of 0.104, above the legal alcohol limit in New South Wales. He has been charged with mid-range drink driving and is scheduled to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on May 7.
The timing is awkward. The stakes are high. But for now, his PSL commitments remain intact.
No travel restrictions have reportedly been placed on Warner, leaving him free to fly back to Pakistan and resume his role with Karachi Kings. He is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of their clash with Peshawar Zalmi on April 9 and is likely to continue as captain.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not issued any official statement on the matter. League regulations typically treat off-field legal issues in a player’s home country as private affairs, unless they are deemed to directly damage the image of the tournament.
That stance keeps Warner available for selection, with the legal process in Australia set to unfold after the PSL season concludes. How the episode shapes perceptions of one of modern cricket’s most high-profile figures, and what it means for his leadership at Karachi Kings, will now be watched just as closely as his runs.
