- Fakhar Zaman is looking for third title.
- Training starts, overseas players to join soon.
- New captain Afridi leads formidable pace attack with Rauf & Zaman Khan.
Fakhar Zaman, a prominent batsman for Lahore Qalandars, acknowledged the pressure of being reigning champions but expressed their determination to replicate their performance from the previous two seasons and secure a third consecutive title.
Fakhar conveyed to the press on Sunday, “Yes, it’s in our mind to complete hat-trick. Pressure will be there but we will try to play the way we put in our best during the last two seasons.”
The Qalandars have initiated their training at their High Performance Centre, with all their local key players present. Their overseas players are expected to join them this week.
Under the leadership of their new captain, Shaheen Afridi, known for his exceptional bowling in both the PSL and international matches, the Qalandars clinched the championship in the past two seasons.
Afridi, along with Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan, forms the most formidable pace attack in the country’s premier event. However, the Qalandars will greatly feel the absence of their crucial leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, who is unable to participate in the PSL due to health concerns.
Fakhar also acknowledged that Rashid’s absence would be a significant loss, stating, “It would be wrong if I say that Rashid’s absence will not hurt us. There is no substitute of Rashid as he is the world’s best bowler.” He quickly added, “But we will try to minimise this huge loss as we have good bowlers who will be used in his place.”
Fakhar expressed his preference to open the batting for the Qalandars in T20 cricket, noting that openers set the pace for the team.
