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Warner suffers record defeat on cricket return after DUI charge

David Warner captained the Karachi Kings to a record defeat. <i>Photo: EPA</i>

David Warner captained the Karachi Kings to a record defeat. Photo: EPA

Australian cricket ace David Warner has suffered a dismal return to cricket in Pakistan in his first match since being charged with drink-driving back home in Australia.

The 39-year-old former Test luminary, who is set to appear in court on May 7 after allegedly blowing more than twice the legal limit in a random breath test in Sydney last weekend, suffered a golden duck while captaining the Karachi Kings to a record Pakistan Super League defeat.

Despite winning the toss at Karachi’s national stadium, Warner’s decision to insert Peshawar Zalmi backfired spectacularly as they amassed a massive 3-246 off their 20 overs, spearheaded by a spectacular 109 from Sri Lankan international Kusal Mendis and 83no from Pakistan great Babar Azam.

Then Warner was snaffled behind point off the first ball he faced, surprised by a rearing delivery from Shoriful Islam as he tried to advance down the pitch, leaving Karachi already facing defeat after just seven balls at 2-7, following Muhammad Waseem’s dismissal third ball in the opening over.

It only got worse as Karachi then collapsed to 87 all out, with Iftikhar Ahmed (3-9), Nahid Rana (3-7) and Sufiyan Muqeem (3-18) running through the home team.

It resulted in the hitherto unbeaten Karachi losing by 159 runs, the biggest defeat in the PSL’s 10-year annals.

Warner had returned to Australia during a week-long break between Karachi’s matches when he was stopped at a roadside breath testing unit at Maroubra in Sydney on Easter Sunday.

The 39-year-old was charged after allegedly producing a blood alcohol reading of 0.104 – more than twice the legal limit.

Cricket New South Wales said on Wednesday it would support Warner after he was charged, saying it was committed to educating him ā€œon the importance of safe drivingā€.

ā€œDavid is aware of the seriousness of these allegations. We will support him through the upcoming process,ā€ it said in a statement.

–AAP

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