LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars is undergoing a ‘post-mortem’ and will come back in the league’s fourth edition stronger and with a comprehensive plan, vowed franchise owner Fawad Rana on Monday.

The Qalandars have a poor record since the inaugural edition of the PSL and have failed to qualify for the play-offs after finishing at the bottom of the league table in all of them. In the third edition earlier this year, the Lahore side was able to win just three of their ten matches in the first round.

“Yes, the results of the Lahore Qalandars team in all three PSL editions were not encouraging and I know about the feelings of the team’s fans and those especially from Lahore,” said Rana in his speech during an event organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Lahore.

“A post-mortem is going on and after its completion more comprehensive planning will be done to get better the results in next episode,” he said.

However, Rana was confident about Lahore Qalandars’ contribution to Pakistan cricket in the form of young, emerging cricketers despite the franchise’s poor performances.

Rana, who is known for his energy on the sidelines during Qalandars matches, said he has realised the coach’s role does not matter much in Twenty20 cricket.

“We’ve had both foreign and local coaches, it does not make much difference,” he said.

Fawad also put an end to rumours about misunderstandings between Qalandars’ skipper Brendon McCullum and Pakistan discard Umar Akmal

He also revealed the New Zealander was thinking about stepping down from the position following his ‘bad patch’ but the team management did not support the former Kiwi captain’s decision and asked him to continue.

About Akmal, Rana said he was rested because of lack of form but there are no doubts about his quality as a cricketer.

“He is a good player,’ Rana said of Akmal.

“Umar and Brendon have a good understanding as they also have been playing together in the Caribbean Premier League.”

‘LOVE FOR THE GAME’

Rana said the driving factor for the PSL franchises to stay on the field despite massive financial losses is their ‘love for the game’.

However, the Lahore side’s owner hoped the Pakistan Cricket Board will offer better financial packages for the franchises from the next year.

Contrary to Rana’s point of view, the PCB has been claiming it has earned handsome profits through PSL. Other franchise owners have also complained about losses.

Rana believed the PSL was a clean brand and steps taken against elements promoting spot-fixing after the second edition had given a ‘clear message’ to them.

He said the PCB should continue to work towards making the PSL a successful brand and later a ‘supreme product in world cricket.’

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2018