Brendon McCullum replaces Azhar Ali as skipper of Lahore Qalandars

E-Paper | May 30, 2026

KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars removed Azhar Ali as captain of the side and appointed Kiwi player Brendon McCullum to lead the team in the second edition of PSL.

The announcement in this regard was made by Lahore Qalandars' Director Cricket Operations Aqib Javed on Thursday.

McCullum will not only lead in side but will also serve as a batting mentor for the franchise. "McCullum along with leading the side, will also be the batting mentor for Lahore Qalandars," said Javed.

The former fast bowler, while addressing a press conference, said the decision to remove Azhar Ali from captaincy will not affect his ability to lead the national side since he does not represent Pakistan in the T20 format.

"We have taken this decision to improve and enhance the chances to perform better in the second edition of PSL — which is scheduled in February next year," he added.

Javed, however, stated that there is no comparison between Azhar and McCullum. Azhar will still remain to be the part of Lahore Qalandars.

Lahore Qalandars also tweeted this decision on twitter with a video message from McCullum.

"McCullum is one of the best captains of the world and now we will consult our new captain before entering the drafts of PSL to pick new team and structure of Lahore Qalandars."

In the first edition of the PSL, Lahore Qalandars just managed to win two games out of their eight under Azhar's captaincy.

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Danial

Sep 22, 2016 09:14pm

Good to see players like Brandon Mc will take on leadership roles in the 2nd edition of PSL. Will provide much needed exposure to our domestic players.

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Mani

Sep 22, 2016 09:15pm

Is the PCB watching? What will it take for them to get it. Even if he wins against the Windies, he is just not fit to lead in limited overs.

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RIZ

Sep 22, 2016 09:19pm

No surprise and PCB for God sake wake up don't do this to Pakistan ODI cricket. Azhar should be removed as ODI captain this will help him too as he is a good test player and can be handy leg spinner as we all know he started his career as leg spinner.

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Syed Abbas

Sep 22, 2016 09:25pm

Very good addition. PSL is getting stronger. They should included another team. 6 th team was dearly needed. Looking forward .

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sangun

Sep 22, 2016 09:39pm

Loss making tournament.. ....should stop it

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Abu Musa

Sep 22, 2016 09:45pm

Ask Misbah to read. Very sad , Lahore wants best captain for Lahore but PCB, lahore wants worst captain for Pakistan team. I am surprised Imran Khan did not say any thing in favor of Sarfraz Ahmed , why?

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Farooq Jawed

Sep 22, 2016 09:51pm

Good riddance, an excellent move by Lahore. They just removed the biggest log jam in the river of progress. Lahore is certainly going to make the playoffs this time around by unshackling themselves from the most clueless skipper in any format of the game.

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ENGR OSMAN

Sep 22, 2016 10:07pm

Azhar Ali is our national Captain and must be respected - though Brendan is certainly a great addition & could have been Azhar's vice captain.

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PAKISTAN FIRST

Sep 22, 2016 10:27pm

good move, Azhar Ali not a captain material and a T20 player. So If I were him, I would pay attention to his Test Career and pay attention to his mediocre batting performance

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Faiza

Sep 22, 2016 10:30pm

One of my favourite players. I don't really support the Qalanders but can't wait to see him in action. Good choice...the team might have a much better chance this time round.

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Mudassar Siddiq

Sep 22, 2016 10:34pm

Azhar Ali: This is a clear message for you

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Hope.

Sep 23, 2016 12:32am

Once ridiculed Misbah is a world star now. Azhar became captain too early, let him stay in team and one day when experienced he will be a better captain then many in the past.

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Yusuf

Sep 23, 2016 12:33am

Maybe Qalandars should run the PCB too since they have enough cricketing sense and guts to realize Azhar Ali is not captaincy material and made the move swiftly oppose to dragging it on like how PCB normally does and will continue to do so in the future.

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naveed,usa

Sep 23, 2016 12:51am

Great player he is,and we hope,under his mentorship and leadership local players will learn .

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VoiceOfReason

Sep 23, 2016 01:12am

So PCB couldn't come to this conclusion? I bet if PCB had money at stake they would have also replaced Azhar Ali. Money would have superseded all bias and nepotism.

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Aftab.Dawn

Sep 23, 2016 02:02am

The LQ franchise owner Mr Rana is a real business man and surely next edition of PSL will be much more different for LQ than last one.

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Ahmad Husain UAE

Sep 23, 2016 02:19am

Rana Sahib this is great decision for cricket game, Brendon Mccullum. is right choice for right man, wise decision, Azhar Ali is not ODI and forget abt T20, his strike rate r very low. Thanks for selecting Brendon.

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Bashir Ahmad Siddiqui

Sep 23, 2016 02:35am

BM is hard hitter better captain Qalader will go higher, Azhar is only test player.

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Syed Abbas

Sep 23, 2016 03:17am

PAKISTAN Super leagues super Addition. He is a champ. 5 star player. Looking forward to PSL 2.

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Crime Master GOGO

Sep 23, 2016 03:18am

I wish the youngsters could learn from him and play aggressive and fearless cricket the way McCullum does. I must also commend Lahore Qalandars. Among all others teams, Lahore Qalandars look to be preparing really well for the next edition. Hiring Aqib Javed as Director Cricket Operation has proved to be a good move from Qalandars

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imti

Sep 23, 2016 04:16am

when comes to business we use data and logic like thish one but when comes country or affair impacting conman but millions of people we go medieval age thinking which is 2% logic and 98% no-sense and full of fantasy and traditions which suits top brass only

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Haider

Sep 23, 2016 06:02am

Welcome McCullum!

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Sajjad

Sep 23, 2016 06:51am

Azhar is pathetic captain. In fact he is not a player of short format; T20/ODI. He should be limited to test cricket.

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Hassan

Sep 23, 2016 07:10am

Soon it will be sarfraz replacing in pakistan odi team

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Talha

Sep 23, 2016 07:54am

How can they select McCullum as captain even before the drafts? McCullum wasn't part of the previous PSL either. What if some other PSL team gets to buy McCullum's services in the draft. Can someome please provide some clarity.

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Whatacountry

Sep 23, 2016 08:02am

PCB is still in a state of comma.

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Dastagir Farooqui Manchester UK

Sep 23, 2016 09:24am

Lahore Qalandars excellent decision for BN as new captain, PCB Chairman should think twice for his decision first place nominated Azhar as captain, second place extended his tenure to WI, is very regret.

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waqas

Sep 23, 2016 09:28am

@ENGR OSMAN : Are you serious BM should be his vice captain, my friend if Azhar Ali has self respect he should have resign himself from captainship of Lahore Qlandar as well as Pakistan National Team. He even doesn't deserve a place in ODI/T20 Team.

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Faiza

Sep 23, 2016 12:37pm

@Sangun: Loss making tournament? It's only had one season! I think it will do well. It's only early stages, no need to spread negativity and give Ill wishes.

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Syed

Sep 23, 2016 03:47pm

Aaquib javed has more senses than shahryar and entire pcb who not only made azhar captain but still want to continue with proven failure.

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Khurram Shah

Sep 24, 2016 09:47am

Issue is that Cricket Pakistan is not personal affair or business of Shehyar, Najam sethi, Wasim Akram, Misbah e.t.c. so they can afford some nepotism.

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