DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | May 03, 2024

Updated 19 Feb, 2018 12:59pm

'No stone left unturned to achieve perfection': Lahore Qalandars expect big win this PSL

Lahore Qalandars may not have been able qualify for the play-offs in the first two seasons of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but they are confident of changing their fortunes with a new squad in the third edition of the league.

With Aaqib Javed replacing Paddy Upton as head coach, Atiq-uz-Zaman and Kabir Khan joining the coaching staff and mentoring by stalwarts such as Inzamam ul Haq and Shoaib Akhtar, the owners of Lahore Qalandars are confident for a good show in the league this season.

Atif Rana, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars, while speaking to a private news channel, said that his staff has put in massive effort to prepare for the league.

"No stone has been left unturned in our quest to achieve perfection this season," Rana said.

He added: “We have put 200 per cent of our effort in, in order to fill the gaps and overcome our flaws from the last two seasons in the combination and performance of the team."

"Obviously we are a 100 per cent confident," Atif said when asked if he's hoping for a change in team's fortune this year.

He added that Lahore Qalandars will not let down fans this season.

“Last two seasons didn't go as planned but we have worked really hard all year round in order to promote and develop cricket in Pakistan and provide a promising platform for youngsters," Rana said.

"Last time there were a few reasons of our loss. We faced some setbacks prior to the second season of PSL. A few of our players were injured and couldn't play for the team.

He added: This time we have a good team combination and we have worked hard with them in order to furnish their skills," Rana assured his fans.

The CEO also expressed confidence in Brendon McCullum's leadership skills and said the way the team fought while defending low targets last season was a reflection of Brendon's quality as captain.

Talking about the team's strength, Rana Atif said that there is a lot of power in Lahore Qalandars squad in the form of Chris Lynn, Fakhar Zaman, Umar Akmal and Sohail Akhtar.

"We are expecting a great amount of sixes not only from the Bash brothers but all the other power hitters in the squad as well," he said.

"We expect all our young Qalandars to perform to the best of their abilities. All the training and grooming provided to them all year round by cricketing legends such as Aqib Javed will hopefully benefit them and the team as well," Rana added, clearly excited about the work put into training this year's squad.

Talking about the success of PSL, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars said that the way people in Pakistan have supported the PSL is great and everyone in Pakistan is enjoying it.

He, however, said that it would be premature to comment on how many of Lahore Qalandars players will arrive in Pakistan to play the matches in Lahore and Karachi.

"All will be decided in due course as the tournament progresses," Rana said.

"Right now we are only concentrating on getting the tournament started with a bang and on a high note. Our main focus, for now, is on our performance," he concluded

Read Comments

Pakistan's 'historic' lunar mission to be launched on Friday aboard China lunar probe Next Story