The Lahore Qalandars have failed to qualify for the playoffs after losing four consecutive matches in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, which is being played in the UAE. As the runners up of the previous edition of PSL, the fans expected the franchise to go one step ahead this season. But their dismal performance has left the fans disappointed.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Shoaib Akhtar has blamed the owners of the Lahore Qalandar franchise for their poor performance and has also expressed his interest to buy the franchise in near future.
I told Rana brothers to sell me your team I’ll rename it as Lahore express and change the management. These owners and management aren’t serious about cricket, they are wasting the Lahore brand.
Controversies ruined the season
The Lahore Qalandars is a star-studded squad having the likes of Mohammed Hafeez, Rashid Khan, and Fakhar Zaman in their ranks. Despite the quality the franchise posses, their performance has been below par the expectations of its fans.
Their journey has been hampered by frequent controversies and criticisms. Captain Sohail Akhtar was criticized heavily for a DRS howler against Quetta Gladiators, where it was clearly evident that the bat has touched the ball, but Sohail still decided to go ahead with the review.
Vice Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi too faced a lot of backlash from the fans and critcs after he got into an argument with his former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. Shaheen Afridi later issued an apology for the incident through his twitter account.
Saifi bhai is the pride of all of us. He was and will always remain a captain for me. Whatever happened in the game that day was heat of the moment. I should have stayed quiet in respect of him. I have always respected my seniors and pray and wish the best for @SarfarazA_54 bhai. pic.twitter.com/sbwMj1Owyw
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) June 17, 2021
This Lahore Qalandar fans are hopeful that the franchise will take this season’s debacle in its stride and come back stronger in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League.