PSL: Lahore Qalandars aiming for ultimate glory

Lahore Qalandars, arguably the most favourite HBL Pakistan Super League franchise for the cricketing masses, had to suffer four years of heartbreak on the trot since the start of the T20 extravaganza as each season they were plummeted in the last place.

However, the year 2020 changed everything for the beleaguered Qalandars who not just qualified for the playoffs but also managed to go all the way to the final where they misread the pitch conditions at the National Stadium and lost after the Covid-19 pandemic cruelly denied them the opportunity of playing the decider in their hometown, Lahore.

Despite that setback, Qalandars were not disgraced since it was a massive turnaround for the franchise, which is owned by Fawad Rana, who is a very popular figure and had been through countless periods of tribulations and ecstasy all these years.

There is no denying that Lahore Qalandars will be one of the top contenders for the HBL PSL 6 title and would surely love to make the playoffs - and of course, the final - for the second straight season and perhaps bask themselves in the ultimate glory in front of ardent supporters at the Gaddafi Stadium on March 22.

Their team composition looks formidable, particularly on the bowling front with the prized acquisition of star Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

The top-ranked T20 bowler in the world makes the Qalandars' bowling even more threatening this time since he would be operating alongside Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had been announced as the vice-captain, and speedster Haris Rauf with Dilbar Hussain also in the support cast.