Lahore Qalandars Captain: Lahore Qalandars have named Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain for the upcoming PSL season. PCB announces the Pakistan Super League 2022 Schedule earlier this month, according to which the tournament will begin on 27 January 2022, with the final to take place on February 27.
Shaheen Named as Lahore Qalandars Captain
Shaheen Shah Afridi replaces Sohail Akhtar, who led the team for the last two seasons. Over the last two years, Afridi has become one of the best players in the world.
He has represented Pakistan in 21 Tests, 28 ODIs and 39 T20Is and has been with the Qalandars squad since 2018. In that time, he’s picked up 50 wickets from 37 games, which is a record for the franchise.
“Shaheen is our asset and has stuck with us through thick and thin,” Sameen Rana, Qalandars owner, and the manager told ESPNcricinfo.
“I still remember the day when a young, 18-year-old boy came to Lahore Qalandars for the first time in 2018 and over the years he has developed as one of the finest fast bowlers in the world. He grew with us and helped the franchise to become stronger.
He is Pakistan’s top-notch bowler at the moment and over the last three years, he gained all the necessary experience playing in all formats of the game. I think this is the best time to give him a chance to show his leadership qualities.
“One thing that impressed us all is that he is an excellent learner and I have absolutely no doubt that he will come good as a captain. With his performances, he has earned enormous respect.
It’s a remarkable journey for Shaheen to become the premium fast bowler and we are extremely happy to be a part of his development first as a player and now allow him to thrive as captain. I wish him very good luck.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi Reacts
As for Afridi, he is relishing the additional responsibility for the forthcoming season. “I am very excited and honoured to accept the role as captain,” Afridi said.
“I hope I can give my best as captain. This is a big responsibility and I am happy that they trusted me with this leadership role. Leading a side is the highest role in cricket and equally a privilege for a cricketer. I am grateful to the Lahore Qalandars management and looking forward to the new season next month.”
Sohail Akhtar, who is uncapped in international cricket, then stepped up as captain over the past two seasons. Under his leadership, Qalandars won the 2018 Abu Dhabi T20 trophy and finished runners-up in the PSL in 2020, but lost their way last year when they finished fifth in the six-team league earlier this year.
Sohail Akhtar, however, is still an integral part of Qalandars’ core group having been retained by the franchise ahead of the draft.
This will the Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first time in charge of a team at the senior level but he isn’t coming into the job completely cold. He was captain of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas Under-16s at the PCB’s Cricket Stars tournament in 2016.
