SYDNEY: Australian cricket legend and current Karachi Kings captain, David Warner, has been arrested and charged with mid-range drink-driving following an incident in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs on Sunday night.
The 39-year-old, who was scheduled to fly out and rejoin his Pakistan Super League (PSL) teammates on April 9, now faces a mandatory court appearance next month, casting a shadow over his participation in the remainder of the 2026 season.
New South Wales Police report that Warner was pulled over during a random breath testing operation in Maroubra. According to police allegations, Warner attempted to avoid the checkpoint by pulling over and parking his vehicle before reaching the testing site.
Officers approached the stationary vehicle and subjected the former Test opener to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result. Warner was subsequently arrested and taken to the Maroubra Police Station, where he allegedly blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.104—more than double the legal limit.
The timing of the charge is a significant blow to the Karachi Kings. Warner is currently serving his second consecutive term as captain after being reacquired by the franchise for approximately Rs. 79 million (7.90 Crore) during the league’s inaugural auction-based selection.
He had recently returned to Australia for a brief personal break to spend time with family and was expected to lead the Kings in their upcoming fixture this Thursday. The franchise has yet to release an official statement regarding his captaincy status or whether his legal proceedings will prevent him from returning to Pakistan.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2024, Warner has remained a dominant force in the T20 circuit. Last season, he was named captain of the Big Bash League (BBL) Team of the Tournament after a standout performance with the Sydney Thunder. Despite the Thunder finishing at the bottom of the ladder with only two wins, Warner finished the regular season as the league’s leading run-scorer.
Warner is expected to appear in court in May. Further updates on his availability for the Karachi Kings are anticipated within the next 24 hours.
