Latest news with #Qalandars
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Qalandars not just a team, a movement
The story of Lahore Qalandars is a fascinating one. The owners are two brothers, each with a completely contrasting personality. One, Atif Rana, is cheerful and humorous — he can convey serious messages in a lighthearted tone. No matter who he's talking to, he doesn't hold back, and sometimes people only realize a day later what he actually meant. Those who meet him once often go on to say, "Atif Rana is my best friend." He handles the off-field affairs of the Qalandars. The other brother, Sameen Rana, is a serious and reserved personality. A chartered accountant by profession, he's a master of his field — no one in the PSL understands finance better. The brothers might never have played cricket even on their rooftop, yet today, they own Pakistan's most successful franchise: Lahore Qalandars. Sameen also manages the team and deals with both the board and the players. He, along with Atif and team captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, form the core think-tank of the Qalandars. Shaheen joined the team when he was just a kid, not even sporting a mustache — today, he calls the shots. Other franchises rely on large, highly qualified staff, but the way the Rana brothers took this team to the top with limited resources is truly commendable. While others hired high-profile coaches, the Qalandars' coach was so low-profile that few even knew his name — and when the league paused, he left and never returned. Yet, the team still emerged as champions. How? People are left scratching their heads. Sikandar Raza, the cricketing prince of Zimbabwe, doesn't lack money. Yet when I met him in Dubai this January, he told me he would come to Pakistan well before the PSL began to train with Abdullah Shafique. When the league resumed after a break, he came for just one day, helped the team reach the playoffs, and left again. No one imagined he would return for the final — but there he was, arriving just ten minutes before the match, present at the time of the national anthem. Critics like Imad Wasim and Shoaib Akhtar attributed this to money, but I can say with absolute certainty — money had nothing to do with it. It was all about commitment and love for the team. Most teams go into hibernation after the PSL ends and only awaken before the next edition. Not the Qalandars — they stay active all year. Their Player Development Program (PDP) was once mocked by critics. Today, the same people praise it after seeing players like Haris Rauf emerge from it. This year, a young boy from Parachinar, Muhammad Naeem, took the league by storm. Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Abdullah Shafique — all consider this team their own. It's understandable for Pakistanis, but when a foreign star like Shakib Al Hasan says, "There should be a franchise like this in Bangladesh," you know there's something special. Poor Shaheen — ever since he became national captain, Babar Azam's keyboard warriors turned against him, portraying him as a villain on social media. But now that he's the PSL's top wicket-taker and has led his team to a third title in four years, all are silent. He earned so much respect he was even named captain of the PSL's team of the tournament. Just a week before the final, Shaheen confidently told me, "If God wills, there's a 99.9% chance we will win the trophy," — and he was right. I've never seen such confidence in a player. People once claimed Lahore only won because of Rashid Khan. Well, Rashid wasn't even here this time — and they still won. What now? The early matches were one-sided, and the absence of DRS in later stages affected engagement. Fan interest waned during the tournament, but the final brought back the energy and atmosphere. The match was thrilling — no team in franchise cricket had ever chased 202 runs in a final before. Qalandars did it, giving the league a perfect ending. Mohsin Naqvi deserves major credit for this. Atif Rana ensured he received a medal from President Asif Zardari, despite his initial refusal. It was Salman Naseer's first tournament as CEO. He performed well, though mistakes were made, and issues arose. He must realize he can't do everything alone — a team is essential. This league belongs to Pakistan. And in the end, the victory was Pakistan's. When the Qalandars owner took a massive national flag to the ground, that's the message he delivered.
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Imad Wasim unimpressed by Sikandar Raza's last-minute return for PSL Final: 'Money can do things for you'
Sikandar Raza made headlines globally for representing Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League final, arriving at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium just 10 minutes before toss, less than 24 hours after the one-off Test between England and Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham concluded. read more Imad Wasim described Sikandar Raza as a 'wonderful human being and a proper team player', even if he wasn't entirely impressed with his feat of playing a Test and the PSL final in less than 24 hours. Image: AP/Reuters Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza made headlines globally for his extraordinary feat of playing a Test against England as well as the Pakistan Super League final on back-to-back days, with the two games happening more than 5,000 kilometres away from one another. Raza has received widespread praise from experts and fans alike for his passion for the game, representing his nation in the highest form of the game without sacrificing on commitment to Lahore Qalandars in the PSL. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Imad Wasim feels financial incentive led to Sikandar Raza's return Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, however, isn't one to think along those lines and believes it's the love for money that inspired Raza to return to Lahore in time for the PSL final, in which the Qalandars took on Quetta Gladiators and won. 'Like Shoaib Akhtar said — money can do things for you,' Wasim was quoted by Geo Super as saying. 'If you're getting paid, you'll go. I travel a lot too. Sometimes, one match ends, and the next day you're playing another. I've traveled 24 hours straight and gone directly into a match. So yes, money can make different things happen,' he added. Despite offering a take on Raza's return that is starkly different from the popular sentiment, Wasim heaped praise on Raza for being a 'wonderful human being and a proper team player'. 'Sikandar Raza is a great player — he's been performing consistently around the world for the last couple of years. He even won the ILT20 final for his team. 'He's a wonderful human being and a proper team player. I've played both with and against him, and the way he has performed recently, you can definitely call him a match-winner,' Wasim added. Raza had left the Qalandars camp to play Zimbabwe's one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge, which ended inside three days with the Ben Stokes-led hosts collecting an innings and 45-run victory. The spinner dismissed opener Zak Crawley (124), who was one of three Englishmen to score a century in that Test, and later scored an attacking 60 off 68 balls. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By the time the one-off Test concluded, there was less than 24 hours left for the Qalandars-Gladiators final to get underway. Raza went straight to the airport after the match got over and boarded a flight to Pakistan. The Qalandars, meanwhile, had two team sheets ready as they were unsure if Raza would reach the venue on time for the match. One had the Pakistani-born Zimbabwean, while the other had veteran Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al-Hasan. In the end, Raza arrived at the Gaddafi Stadium just 10 minutes before the toss. And in the end, he would steer Lahore Qalandars to their third PSL title with an unbeaten 22 off 7 balls, which helped the Shaheen Afridi-led side chase down the 202-run target set by the Gladiators with a delivery to spare.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Shaheen to captain Team of HBL PSL X
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led Lahore Qalandars to their third title in four years in HBL PSL last night, has been named captain of the Team of HBL PSL X. The team was selected by the esteemed members of the commentary team. The HBL PSL X was played across four cities Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 25 May. In the final, Qalandars defeated Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 25-year-old Shaheen, not only claimed the Fazal Mahmood Cap for finishing as the highest wicket-taker – 19 dismissals in 13 matches, but also leads a team that features two of his Qalandars teammates. Sikandar Raza (11 matches, 254 runs, 2x50s, 10 wickets) and Fakhar Zaman (13 matches, 439 runs, 4x50s) earned their places on the back of stellar performances in the tournament. Gladiators – the winners of the 2019 edition of HBL PSL are also represented by three players. 23-year-old Pakistan international Hasan Nawaz, who was also adjudged best batter of the tournament (12 matches, 399 runs, 1x100, 3x50s) is joined by experienced all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (12 matches, 163 runs, 17 wickets) and 27-year-old spinner Abrar Ahmed (12 matches, 17 wickets). Karachi Kings, who secured third place on the points table before losing to Qalandars in Eliminator 1 on 22 May at Gaddafi Stadium, also have three representatives. Captain David Warner (11 matches, 368 runs, 3x50s), opening partner James Vince (378 runs, 1x100, 3x50s) and pacer Hasan Ali (10 matches, 17 wickets) all feature in the XI. Khushdil Shah (11 matches, 253 runs, 1x50, seven wickets) is named as the 12th man. Islamabad United's Sahibzada Farhan, who earned the Hanif Mohammad Cap for leading the run charts with 449 runs in 12 matches (1x100, 3x50s), is the sole representative from his side. Completing the line-up is Peshawar Zalmi's emerging talent, fast bowler Ali Raza, who took 12 wickets in nine matches. Squad: Fakhar Zaman (LQ), Sahibzada Farhan (IU) (wicket-keeper), David Warner (KK), James Vince (KK), Hasan Nawaz (QG), Sikandar Raza (LQ), Faheem Ashraf (QG), Shaheen Shah Afridi (LQ) (captain), Hasan Ali (KK), Ali Raza (PZ) (emerging), Abrar Ahmed (QG), Khushdil Shah (KK) (12th).
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Qalandars the champions
The PSL X has gone to Lahore Qalandars - for a third time. The Qalandars won the T20 title back to back in 2022 and 2023, and now in 2025 - equalling Islamabad United's record of winning the crown thrice. However, in each of their victories, Qalandars have been led by just one man - pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi - something which is unparalleled in the decade-long history of PSL. It has been just one triumph each for all of Shaheen's counterparts, past and present, including Misbah-ul-Haq, Darren Sammy, JP Duminy, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan. Ironically though, Shaheen, the thrice victorious captain, does not find himself among the 16 announced for the upcoming Bangladesh T20I series at home, whereas the national squad is said to have been selected "based on the players performance in the ongoing PSL". The recently-concluded PSL season, meanwhile, has seen the premier cricket league complete a decade of its inception - something that speaks of its tremendous all-round success. While the league has proved a big hit from the point of view of professional development of the players involved, it has also brought huge monetary benefits for all those associated with the event in any capacity - players, officials, franchise owners, broadcasters, etc. It has also served to lift the training and playing facilities, over the years, which had been subpart before the league came into being. The sporting gala has also helped set off economic activities in the country which have otherwise slowed down due to the policy of fiscal tightening being pursued by the incumbent government. To top it all, the league has played an instrumental role in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, which had become a sporting outcast in the wake of the 2009 terrorist attack in Lahore on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team. The decade of the PSL success is worth celebrating - indeed!
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Shaheen Shah Afridi to captain Team of PSL 10
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led Lahore Qalandars to their third title in four years in PSL last night, has been named captain of the Team of PSL X. The team was selected by the esteemed members of the commentary team. The PSL 10 was played across four cities –Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 25 May. In the final, Qalandars defeated Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 25-year-old Shaheen, not only claimed the Fazal Mahmood Cap for finishing as the highest wicket-taker – 19 dismissals in 13 matches, but also leads a team that features two of his Qalandars teammates. Sikandar Raza (11 matches, 254 runs, 2x50s, 10 wickets) and Fakhar Zaman (13 matches, 439 runs, 4x50s) earned their places on the back of stellar performances in the tournament. Gladiators – the winners of the 2019 edition of HBL PSL are also represented by three players. 23-year-old Pakistan international Hasan Nawaz, who was also adjudged best batter of the tournament (12 matches, 399 runs, 1x100, 3x50s) is joined by experienced all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (12 matches, 163 runs, 17 wickets) and 27-year-old spinner Abrar Ahmed (12 matches, 17 wickets). PSL 10 sets new record with 500 sices in a single season Karachi Kings, who secured third place on the points table before losing to Qalandars in Eliminator 1 on 22 May at Gaddafi Stadium, also have three representatives. Captain David Warner (11 matches, 368 runs, 3x50s), opening partner James Vince (378 runs, 1x100, 3x50s) and pacer Hasan Ali (10 matches, 17 wickets) all feature in the XI. Khushdil Shah (11 matches, 253 runs, 1x50, seven wickets) is named as the 12th man. Islamabad United's Sahibzada Farhan, who earned the Hanif Mohammad Cap for leading the run charts with 449 runs in 12 matches (1x100, 3x50s), is the sole representative from his side. Completing the line-up is Peshawar Zalmi's emerging talent, fast bowler Ali Raza, who took 12 wickets in nine matches. Squad:
