PSL 2021: 7th Match Lahore Qalandar vs Multan sultan
Muhammad Y.M.
Lahore :Sensational Lahore Qalandars are eyeing more victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021 as they share leaderboard with Islamabad United and keen to maintain their supremacy in the six-team event.
The runners-up of PSL5, Lahore Qalandars, started their PSL-6 journey in great style as they played two matches so far and registered triumphs in as many to top the points table of the PSL 2021. Interestingly, this has happened for the first time in the PSL history, as Qalandars mostly started their PSL campaigns in the worst possible many and especially with defeats. But this time, they played superbly and knocked their opponents down to top the points table.
Lahore Qalandars played their inaugural match against Peshawar Zalmi, which was proved to be a nail-biting encounter, which Qalandars won with sensible batting of Muhammad Hafeez and Rashid Khan while Shaheen Shah Afridi was exceptional with bowl, who took three important scalps to put his side to a commanding position.
Qalandars recorded their second victory against Quetta Gladiators, where the magic of ‘Professor’ Muhammad Hafeez worked well as he played a spectacular innings alongside opening batsman Fakhar Zaman to lead Lahore to a smooth victory against Quetta. Hafeez smashed 73 off 33 balls with the help of five fours and six incredible sixes during his impressive knock. The Professor’s strike rate was 221.21. The Gladiators, despite their impressive 178-run target, failed to restrict the Qalandars.
With the first two match results, it seems Lahore Qalandars are in high spirits and they are eager to further excel and dominate the first leg of the PSL 2021 to book direct berth in the play offs, which will be played at their home town and home ground, the historical Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
The victories are also a result of team work and spirit, which was missing in the previous editions, though some editions saw their powerful performances, but their luck then didn’t favour them. But the PSL-5 proved very good for them, where they proved their mettle and managed to book berth in the final, where they were beaten by Karachi Kings.
The good fielding and batting are the main things, which helped us score victories in the first two matches,” said Sohail Akhtar, Captain of Lahore Qalandars. “We will try our best to continue this undefeated journey and will overcome our previous mistakes,” he added.
With the first two match results, it seems Lahore Qalandars are in high spirits and they are eager to further excel and dominate the first leg of the PSL 2021 to book direct berth in the play offs, which will be played at their home town and home ground, the historical Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
The victories are also a result of team work and spirit, which was missing in the previous editions, though some editions saw their powerful performances, but their luck then didn’t favour them. But the PSL-5 proved very good for them, where they proved their mettle and managed to book berth in the final, where they were beaten by Karachi Kings.
The good fielding and batting are the main things, which helped us score victories in the first two matches,” said Sohail Akhtar, Captain of Lahore Qalandars. “We will try our best to continue this undefeated journey and will overcome our previous mistakes,” he added.
Fawad Rana, owner of LQ franchise, said: “I have no words to express my feelings for the winning team. All have been playing good till now. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the title in the last season but our players have high morale. He said all credit goes to coach Aqib Javed who was with me and we found matchless talent across country.”
Aqib Javed, Lahore Qalandars’ coach, said: “Lahore Qalandars was the first team, which started the national hunt program. For the very first time, overseas Pakistanis got a chance to participate in the cricket talent hunt and represent their team as Pardesi Qalandars. The Qalandars have witnessed a tremendous response of more than 500,000 players during three years of the player development program.
“The future of Pakistan sports is linked with the PSL. Over the years, we continue to find and groom promising youngsters and then the best ones are picked up for the Lahore Qalandars side. We already have talented boys, who will gradually improve their game and techniques and help their side winning crucial matches,” Aqib added.
Aqib claimed that Lahore picked sensible players, who have ability to perform in tough conditions. He is hopeful that Lahore Qalandars will go into the play-offs and clinch the title this time.
