Lahore Qalandars 2021 | Squad and Discussion Thread

[MenInG]

Before Player Draft for PSL 2021

Lahore Qalandars (retained) - Ben Dunk (gold); David Wiese (diamond); Dilbar Hussain (gold); Fakhar Zaman (diamond, brand ambassador); Haris Rauf (diamond); Mohammad Hafeez; Shaheen Shah Afridi (both platinum) and Sohail Akhtar (silver, successful relegation request)

Released – Abid Ali, Agha Salman, Chris Lynn, Dane Vilas, Dilbar Hussain, Farzan Raja, Jaahid Ali, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Salman Butt, Salman Irshad, Samit Patel, Seekkuge Prasanna and Usman Shinwari

Final Squad:

 

[b.lesner]

Before Player Draft for PSL 2021
Lahore Qalandars (retained) - Ben Dunk (gold); David Wiese (diamond); Dilbar Hussain (gold); Fakhar Zaman (diamond, brand ambassador); Haris Rauf (diamond); Mohammad Hafeez; Shaheen Shah Afridi (both platinum) and Sohail Akhtar (silver, successful relegation request)

Released – Abid Ali, Agha Salman, Chris Lynn, Dane Vilas, Dilbar Hussain, Farzan Raja, Jaahid Ali, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Salman Butt, Salman Irshad, Samit Patel, Seekkuge Prasanna and Usman Shinwari


<a href="https://ibb.co/3rqPMN0"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/ZLPbY8h/Er-RJn14-XEAAo-Taf.jpg" alt="Er-RJn14-XEAAo-Taf" border="0"></a>

Ultra legend Sohail Akhtar gets retained.

 

[Baigel]

I thought Fakhar left Lahore? I’m guessing this means that it’s gonna be a swap between Lahore and Peshawar (Fakhar-Hassan)

 

[TeymurBlake]

So Sohail Akhtar is retained... WOW

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

So Sohail Akhtar is retained... WOW

? He captained them to the final. That has to count for something.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I thought Fakhar left Lahore? I’m guessing this means that it’s gonna be a swap between Lahore and Peshawar (Fakhar-Hassan)

Should have happened by now if that was the case. IU already traded Ingram for Hales with KK.

 

[shamaan]

they need a quality spinner

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I think one of Gayle, Lynn, and Rashid to be their platinum pick.

 

[Firebat]

Rashid Khan goes to Lahore for their first pick, great choice.

 

[Firebat]

Lahore pick Samit Patel for their first Gold round pick, keeping him from last year

 

[Firebat]

Lahore take Tom Abell and Zeeshan Ashraf

 

[Firebat]

Salman Ali Agha to Lahore

 

[Firebat]

Mohammad Faizan back to Lahore

 

[Energy]

Rashid adds a completely new dimension to Qalandars, excellent choice. Still thin in the batting department though, and a lot of emphasis on Hafeez and Fakhar again.

 

[Firebat]

Lahore pick Maaz Khan once again

 

[ataullah]

Lahore disappointed again. Faizan, samit, salman ali, maaz??? Could have picked Abdullah Shafiq who went unpicked

 

[Firebat]

Lahore take Zaid Alam in the Emerging category

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Looks like Zeeshan Ashraf is warming the bench... where does he fit in?

1. Sohail Akhtar (c)
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Mohammad Hafeez
4. Ben Dunk (wk)
5. David Wiese
6. Samit Patel
7. Rashid Khan
8. Mohammad Faizan [E]
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Dilbar Hussain

 

[Firebat]

Joe Denly picked in the Supplementary category

 

[Firebat]

Ahmed Danyal is Lahore's final pick

 

[Titan24]

A few glimpses of Ahmed Danyal. Another fast bowler from tape ball cricket and looks quick on his faster bowls

 

[Firebat]

Final Squad:

View attachment 106041

 

[Titan24]

A few glimpses of Ahmed Danyal. Another fast bowler from tape ball cricket and looks quick on his faster bowls

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/dbb7o2" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

He is bowling slower balls initially, for his stock delivery forward to 0:57.

 

[Saj]

Lahore Qalandars’ head coach – Aqib Javed: “I am delighted to have scooped a match-winner in Rashid Khan, but Samit Patel’s pick is something that gave me the most satisfaction. Our team combination over the past few events has been around Samit and I was a bit worried that he may be picked by some other side after we were unable to retain him.”

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

Where are the batsmen?

 

[Titan24]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Zaid Alam (E)
3. Mohammad Hafeez
4. Ben Dunk (WK)
5. Samit Patel
6. Sohail Akhtar (C)
7. David Weise
8. Rashid Khan
9. Shaheen Shah
10. Haris Rauf
11. Dilbar Hussain

 

[Titan24]

Looks like Zeeshan Ashraf is warming the bench... where does he fit in?

1. Sohail Akhtar (c)
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Mohammad Hafeez
4. Ben Dunk (wk)
5. David Wiese
6. Samit Patel
7. Rashid Khan
8. Mohammad Faizan [E]
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Dilbar Hussain

Is in silver and surprisingly LQ selected him to show loyalty to their local produce.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Is in silver and surprisingly LQ selected him to show loyalty to their local produce.

You’re kidding! He doesn’t qualify as an emerging pick then? Maaz Khan goes in I suppose, I don’t see Zaid Alam getting a shot.

 

[Titan24]

You’re kidding! He doesn’t qualify as an emerging pick then? Maaz Khan goes in I suppose, I don’t see Zaid Alam getting a shot.

No he doesnt qualify. Maaz doesnt have much batting pedigree if I am not wrong so batting would become too thin. Zaid Alam has opened in QAE 2nd XI and Nat T20 2nd XI this season for Northern and considering LQ doesnt have a specialist opener, he can be given a shot.

 

[Bigboii]

A few glimpses of Ahmed Danyal. Another fast bowler from tape ball cricket and looks quick on his faster bowls

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/dbb7o2" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

This looks like a miss from LQ
But they did get it right with Haris and the bald guy (in terms of PSL not PCT) so they're allowed to get this one wrong

But I am 95% sure he won't be that good in PSL
Looks a bit fat
Average height not that tall
1- 24 in 1.4 overs so that's that

 

[TeymurBlake]

My LQ line-up would be:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Tom Abell (F)
3. Mohammad Hafeez (C)
4. Agha Ali Salman
5. Ben Dunk (WK) (F)
6. Samit Patel (F)
7. Mohammad Faizan
8. Rashid Khan (F)
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Dilbar Hussain
11. Haris Rauf

This would my ideal line-up. Personally would have liked a foreign no.4 batsman or some like Abdullah Shafique. Just someone to settle the middle order, like a anchor. Tom Abell is a decent batting allrounder and can be aggressive or be a calm supporter. Should play for me.

 

[Titan24]

My LQ line-up would be:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Tom Abell (F)
3. Mohammad Hafeez (C)
4. Agha Ali Salman
5. Ben Dunk (WK) (F)
6. Samit Patel (F)
7. Mohammad Faizan
8. Rashid Khan (F)
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Dilbar Hussain
11. Haris Rauf

This would my ideal line-up. Personally would have liked a foreign no.4 batsman or some like Abdullah Shafique. Just someone to settle the middle order, like a anchor. Tom Abell is a decent batting allrounder and can be aggressive or be a calm supporter. Should play for me.

You are missing an emerging player. Faizan is silver category pick.

 

[TeymurBlake]

You are missing an emerging player. Faizan is silver category pick.

Damn. Forgot that.

 

[TeymurBlake]

My LQ line-up would be:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Tom Abell (F)
3. Mohammad Hafeez (C)
4. Agha Ali Salman
5. Ben Dunk (WK) (F)
6. Samit Patel (F)
7. Mohammad Faizan
8. Rashid Khan (F)
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Dilbar Hussain
11. Haris Rauf

This would my ideal line-up. Personally would have liked a foreign no.4 batsman or some like Abdullah Shafique. Just someone to settle the middle order, like a anchor. Tom Abell is a decent batting allrounder and can be aggressive or be a calm supporter. Should play for me.

Forgot Emerging player.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Zaid Alam (E)
3. Mohammad Hafeez (C)
4. Agha Ali Salman
5. Tom Abell (F)
6. Ben Dunk (WK) (F)
7. Samit Patel (F)
8. Rashid Khan (F)
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Dilbar Hussain
11. Haris Rauf.

 

[cricketerB94]

Playing 11:

Fakhar Zaman
Zaid Alam (E)
Tom Abell/Joe Denly (F)
Hafeez
Dunk (F)
Sohail Akhtar
Samit Patel/Wiese (F)
Rashid Khan (F)
Shaheen
Rauf
Dilbar

 

[zacattakk]

Is in silver and surprisingly LQ selected him to show loyalty to their local produce.

What a waste of a PSL contract.

 

[bizenjo]

This looks like a miss from LQ
But they did get it right with Haris and the bald guy (in terms of PSL not PCT) so they're allowed to get this one wrong

But I am 95% sure he won't be that good in PSL
Looks a bit fat
Average height not that tall
1- 24 in 1.4 overs so that's that

I mean Haris Rauf is like 5'10 and he's one of the most important players for Lahore.

1-24 in a T10 as well. I think we should just evaluate him when he actually plays. Quite excited to see him actually.

 

[Kaddy]

A few glimpses of Ahmed Danyal. Another fast bowler from tape ball cricket and looks quick on his faster bowls

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/dbb7o2" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Is this a joke or what.

Even his 'fastest' delivery was slower than M Abbas.

He doesn't have the height to be a fast bowler.

A typical tape ball bowler.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Would love to see Maaz and Rashid bowl together. Could’ve added Usman Qadir as well (unless I’m mistaken and he’s already there).

 

[Titan24]

Is this a joke or what.

Even his 'fastest' delivery was slower than M Abbas.

He doesn't have the height to be a fast bowler.

A typical tape ball bowler.

I guess we are looking at a different video. He obviously is not a Shoaib Akhtar but, definitely not Abbas’s pace. Anyways we will have to wait and see what they have selected this time around.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I guess we are looking at a different video. He obviously is not a Shoaib Akhtar but, definitely not Abbas’s pace. Anyways we will have to wait and see what they have selected this time around.

He has a nice whippy action but that’s not fast at all. I would much rather they have picked up Abdullah Shafique, for example.

 

[Titan24]

He has a nice whippy action but that’s not fast at all. I would much rather they have picked up Abdullah Shafique, for example.

This guy has been picked as an emerging player in supplementary pick to have some backup if Zaid Alam or Maaz Khan dont go as expected. Abdullah Shafique would surely has been picked in emerging category if he would have been eligible or one can argue maybe as supplementary player.

 

[Kaddy]

I guess we are looking at a different video. He obviously is not a Shoaib Akhtar but, definitely not Abbas’s pace. Anyways we will have to wait and see what they have selected this time around.

I watched the video again and okay may be I am exaggerating but this guy isn't more than 130/132 km. He doesn't have height and head is falling when he tries to bowl fast. In this video he was mostly relying on his slower deliveries.

Naseem Shah looked 10 times and Haris Rauf looked 5 times better than this guy and look how international batsmen treated them. Believe me good international batsmen will murder him.

We need to start taking our cricket seriously, international cricket is no joke. We need to change our mindset, which Aqib Javed still has, that any cricketer from any gully mohala will come and blow away the opposition.

Though I agree that Abdullah Shafiq couldn't have been selected in place this guy because he is selected in emerging category but there were many young cricketers who played national u19 tournament and Quaid-e-Azam second xi tournament, Lahore Qalandars should have selected any proper young batsman or bowler from them.

In the last season they played an emerging player (forgot his name) who played as a specialist fielder.

PSL has only six teams (rightly so) and I believe only deserving players should be part of it.

 

[shamaan]

Fakhar
Zaid alam E
Sohail akhtar
Hafeez
Dunk F
Weise F
Patel F
Rashid F
Shaheen
Rauf
Dilbar

 

[Titan24]

I watched the video again and okay may be I am exaggerating but this guy isn't more than 130/132 km. He doesn't have height and head is falling when he tries to bowl fast. In this video he was mostly relying on his slower deliveries.

Naseem Shah looked 10 times and Haris Rauf looked 5 times better than this guy and look how international batsmen treated them. Believe me good international batsmen will murder him.

We need to start taking our cricket seriously, international cricket is no joke. We need to change our mindset, which Aqib Javed still has, that any cricketer from any gully mohala will come and blow away the opposition.

Though I agree that Abdullah Shafiq couldn't have been selected in place this guy because he is selected in emerging category but there were many young cricketers who played national u19 tournament and Quaid-e-Azam second xi tournament, Lahore Qalandars should have selected any proper young batsman or bowler from them.

In the last season they played an emerging player (forgot his name) who played as a specialist fielder.

PSL has only six teams (rightly so) and I believe only deserving players should be part of it.

Agreed with your points and that is a why I created a thread that PCB needs to add certain clauses to the team selection/draft of PSL as franchises shouldnt be allowed to pick random players. One each year from development program is fine but with players like Mohammad Faizan, giving captaincy to Sohail Akhtar LQ is overdoing it.

 

[GudduBadmash]

He is bowling slower balls initially, for his stock delivery forward to 0:57.

Not going to lie, i thought something epic was going to happen the moment that music started to play. Man ran in and bowled at 50MPH, batsman hacked a shot in the air and the fielder dropped a child exhibition match level catch.

Thank you for the laugh, I needed that

 

[Titan24]

Thank you for the laugh, I needed that

I am glad. However, I am not sure about 50 mph, anyways its just a video will have to see what LQ has selected i.e if he gets to play a match.

 

[b.lesner]

A few glimpses of Ahmed Danyal. Another fast bowler from tape ball cricket and looks quick on his faster bowls

How did you add youtube videos with thumbnail

 

[Titan24]

How did you add youtube videos with thumbnail

I used the add video button and pasted the youtube link there.

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

I am glad. However, I am not sure about 50 mph, anyways its just a video will have to see what LQ has selected i.e if he gets to play a match.

Dilbar was also thought to be a 120kph trundler from a very similar video. Then all of these same people got the shock of their lives when he started bowling close to 150 kph.

 

[Titan24]

Dilbar was also thought to be a 120kph trundler from a very similar video. Then all of these same people got the shock of their lives when he started bowling close to 150 kph.

Exactly and the thing which surprises me is that with how much confidence exaggerated claims are being put forward based upon a video.

 

[volcyz]

LOL the useless Dunk is even terminated by the Melbourne Stars before his contract ended,

while hes getting a fat paycheck playing the PSL when he can't find a place in any domestic side.

One of the worst over the hill players I've seen still playing.

 

[alirabbi1129]

Afghanistan have rescheduled their tour of Zimbabwe from 2nd March to 20th March. So looks like Rashid Khan may not be able to make it, or only come for a very limited period.

 

[MenInG]

Muhammad Hafeez today visited our High performance center and gave our HPC boys a lecture on how to carry their mental and physical strength in field. And had a great time with our Qalandars to be.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Saj]

Qalandars have confirmed that Ben Dunk, Tom Abell and Samit Patel have arrived in Karachi.

 

[Hitman]

Lahore Qalandars targeting the elusive title

Lahore, 14 February 2021:

Previous performances:
2016: 5th and last
2017: 5th and last
2018: 6th and last
2019: 6th and last
2020: Runners-up

Every league has a favourite team that every fan wants as the champion. The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) is no different. In this league, most fans want Lahore Qalandars as the champion.

For any franchise to be successful, they need to do a few things right. Qalandars seem to have ticked all the boxes with their elaborate talent development programme, which has enabled them to unearth some quality talent, such as Haris Rauf, Dilbar Hussain and Salman Irshad.

They have been painstakingly meticulous in their approach in putting their development programme to good use and also pick their players with a lot of thought into it. They now even have a High Performance Centre of their own.

But still the trophy cupboard at the Qalandars' office is barren.

During the first four editions, Qalandars finished at the bottom. There were a number of slips between cup and lip throughout those four editions as the Qalandars found different ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The 2020 edition, in going with the theme of the year of freakish results, changed their fortunes to some extent. The Qalandars were among the favoured side as they managed to gallop into the play-off stage in March 2020 until Covid-19 put paid to the chances of the side then. They were firm favourites when the final phase was scheduled on their home ground.

But, then the play-offs had to be rescheduled. Qalandars were drawn to play Karachi Kings in the final. They met their waterloo, thanks to the form of the prolific Babar Azam, and lost the title bout by five wickets.

Now with the side getting close to the title, finally Lady Luck seems to be smiling on Qalandars. This time they seem to have picked a lot of players who can help get their hands on the trophy.

This year, they seem to have the best bowling attack in the tournament. In Rashid Khan – the wily leg-spinner from Afghanistan, they have a wicket-taking bowler who can change the game in a mere four overs, depending on the period of his availability.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s all-format spearhead, is Lahore’s best bet in the pace department. The lanky Pathan can rattle the best batting line-ups with his swing and pace. Lahore’s own discovery Rauf is also a go-to-bowler in T20Is even for Pakistan team, a trait that came to be proved right during the 2020 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) when he took 20 wickets for Melbourne Stars. Bespectacled fast bowler Dilbar is another discovery of Qalandars development programme who has also surprised many a batsman with his pace and variety.

Then, there are the T20I specialists Samit Patel and David Wiese, who are going to prove quite vital in their ability to provide depth to the line-up. Wiese clinched victory from difficult positions in the last edition with his lusty hitting.

The biggest worry for the Qalandars is the dipping form of dashing opener Fakhar Zaman. He scored 420 runs in the National T20 Cup earlier in the season and he seemed to have silenced his critics. The Qalandars are keen for Zaman to continue his form. Even if Zaman does not stand up to be counted, there is the veteran Mohammed Hafeez who is in the form of his career.

Hafeez scored 415 runs in T20I in 2020 at an average of 83 and a stupendous strike-rate of 152.57 – the most by any batsman in the world last year. Lahore would love for Hafeez could translate that form into a massive number of runs in the 2021 edition.

Australian Ben Dunk is another favourite in the Qalandars line-up and played a big part in Lahore marching into the play-offs last year. However, when he returned for the play-offs, Dunk dunked in his form. For the Qalandars, a rejuvenated Dunk is going to be a key for their fortunes.

Lahore have the most unassuming choice as captain in Sohail Akhtar who has been an unsung hero with his performances. His leadership skills have also come in for praise from many.

Lahore have made a lot of unconventional choices and nothing signifies it more than spinner Maaz Khan.
It is this curious mix of breaking the mould under the leadership of an unusual leader, which makes Qalandars as the side to watch out for.

Squad: Sohail Akhtar (captain), Ahmed Danyal, Ben Dunk, David Wiese, Dilbar Hussain, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Joe Denly, Maaz Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hafeez, Rashid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Samit Patel, Shaheen Afridi, Tom Abell, Zaid Alam and Zeeshan Ashraf.

 

[shamaan]

Hopefully zaid alam gets opportunities at the top of the order

 

[Major]

modsss, share the team song here

Man i love Lahore, these guys really owe up to their punjabi culture