Lahore Qalandars PSL 11 | Squad and Discussion Thread

[The Bald Eagle]

Following is the final squad of Lahore Qalandars for PSL Season 11, Your thoughts on their chance of succeeding this season?

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Lahore Qalandars reclaim Key Stars after strategic auction battle

Lahore Qalandars have successfully concluded their squad formation for the upcoming season, overcoming regulatory constraints and making bold moves to reclaim their core match-winners.

Under the tournament rules, franchises were permitted to retain only one player in each category, Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Silver/Emerging. This meant the Qalandars had to make difficult decisions. The franchise retained captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category, while being compelled to release Haris Rauf, who attracted 18 bids, and Fakhar Zaman, who drew an intense 26 bids during the process.

However, determined to maintain their championship core, Lahore Qalandars returned to the auction table with clarity and intent. After competitive bidding battles, the franchise successfully won back Haris Rauf for 7.6 crore and Fakhar Zaman for 7.95 crore, reaffirming their commitment to continuity, loyalty, and performance.

Alongside these key acquisitions, the Qalandars strengthened their squad with Usama Mir (3.5 crore), Ubaid Shah (2.7 crore), Mohammad Farooq (60 lacs), Dasun Shanaka (75 lacs), Parvez Hussain Emon (60 lacs), Asif Ali (60 lacs), Hussain Talat (77.5 lacs), Tayyab Tahir (60 lacs), and Gudakesh Motie (1.1 crore).

Earlier, the franchise retained Abdullah Shafique (2.2 crore), Sikandar Raza (2.8 crore), and Mohammad Naeem (70 lacs) within their respective categories, ensuring stability across departments. The squad was further enhanced through the direct signing of Bangladesh’s premier left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for 6.44 crore.

The auction reflected not only strategy but conviction. By fighting hard to bring back their proven performers while adding depth and emerging talent, Lahore Qalandars have once again demonstrated their belief in building a balanced, competitive, and resilient unit.

With their core restored and reinforcements secured, the Qalandars move forward united and ready for the challenges ahead.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

So no Zaman Khan this time...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021628358497644853

 

[jamie smith fan]

Mohammad farooq is player to look out for

 

[RidiculousMan]

Best XI

1. Fakhar
2. Naeem
3. Haseeb (WK)
4. Abdullah
5. Sikandar *
6. Asif
7. Shanaka *
8. Shaheen
9. Mustafiz *
10. Rauf
11. Motie *

 

[Nasty Naz]

Looks very much similar to Lahore teams of the past and they should be pretty good again. They have a really good pace attack and should have enough batting to make it work.

 

[ads101]

Fakhar should have moved. His international t20 career has not been great (for a long time). A fresh start and performing in a different team I think would have been a new challenge, maybe he’d even learn a few new things and press for an international spot.

Just feels it’s got a bit stagnant. Given his calibre some team might have even given him captaincy for him, which also might have been a good thing for him.

I understand why Lahore want to keep him, he’s been immense for them. But I think if I were him I’d be pushing for a move.

I think if he’d have performed for another team, it would have made him standout a lot.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Good squad.

 

[SaimFan]

Overall good selections.

Should be one of the top two teams again.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Lahore has done much better job than others... Although investing too much again on Fakhar was odd... Maybe he is just the face of Qalandars so they wanted to keep him; otherwise, he is a finished guy

 

[shamaan]

Balanced xi

 

[The Bald Eagle]

@Rana any thoughts on this guy?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025280984938131722

 

[Rana]

@Rana any thoughts on this guy?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025280984938131722

Nothing to get too excited about. Below par “direct signing”. Glenn Chapman is a far superior player but he went through the auction, even though he could have easily fetched 8-10cr as a direct signing anywhere.

Ruben played 1 ODI and was clueless against Abrar in Faisalabad.


LQ and PZ have had a pretty lazy Auction, and not so impressive with their off the scenes work.

 

[Ball Blazer]

LAHORE QALANDARS ANNOUNCE DUNITH WELLALAGE’S INCLUSION IN SQUAD AS REPLACEMENT FOR GUDAKESH MOTIE

13 March 2026, Lahore: Lahore Qalandars have announced that Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage will replace his West Indian counterpart Gudakesh Motie, who has withdrawn from the upcoming 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Wellalage, the 23-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner, joins the Qalandars alongside Sri Lanka's T20I captain Dasun Shanaka, who was picked by LQ at the first ever PSL auction.

He had a productive T20 World Cup, claiming eight wickets at an economy rate of 7.22. Wellalage is also a handy lower-order batter, capable of sticking around with the tail and hitting big shots.

The Qalandars are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to his contributions in the PSL.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Lahore Qalandars give alot of opportunities to South Asian players.

Rashid Khan, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Mustafizur Rehman, Rishad Hossain, Dunith Wellalage..

Kudos to them for that.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

@Rana any thoughts on this guy?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025280984938131722

Good player. Saw bit of him in SA20. But his brother Jordan Hermann is a better player and the guy LQ should have gone for, because he would have really boosted their middle-order.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Rubin Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
10. Haris Rauf
11. Mustafizur Rehman (O)

 

[BouncerGuy]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Rubin Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
10. Haris Rauf
11. Mustafizur Rehman (O)

This looks good.... WK I am sure but still

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This looks good.... WK I am sure but still

Most balanced team in competition

 

[Shaka81]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Rubin Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
10. Haris Rauf
11. Mustafizur Rehman (O)

Not sure about Naeem as opener. He seems very average and there are definitely better options out there if Lahore Qalanders had scouted their options better.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Not sure about Naeem as opener. He seems very average and there are definitely better options out there if Lahore Qalanders had scouted their options better.

He played some crucial knocks for them last season, and is the type of player who can cause alot of damage once he gets going. They should back him.

 

[Shaka81]

He played some crucial knocks for them last season, and is the type of player who can cause alot of damage once he gets going. They should back him.

He looked a hack every time I've seen him play. Guess he might be one of those players that needs to get set before he gets going.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He looked a hack every time I've seen him play. Guess he might be one of those players that needs to get set before he gets going.

There are plenty of players in the league that are big hacks, ultimately, it's about what he brings to the table. They are looking at him for innings of 30 off 14 or 41 off 22. Someone who can come in, maximize the powerplay and give them a rollicking start. As long as he does that he is fulfilling his role.

 

[TeymurBlake]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Rubin Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
10. Haris Rauf
11. Mustafizur Rehman (O)

Brother, who is emerging?

 

[TeymurBlake]

I actually also wouldn't sleep on the Bangladesh opener, he's a good player.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Brother, who is emerging?

Mohammad Naeem like he was last year.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Mohammad Naeem like he was last year.

He's 27 no?

 

[RidiculousMan]

He's 27 no?

It was a joke. Because last year he was not eligible as an emerging player on technical grounds (Rashid Latif exposed this). Apparently PCB overlooked this or favored Lahore.

 

[TeymurBlake]

It was a joke. Because last year he was not eligible as an emerging player on technical grounds (Rashid Latif exposed this). Apparently PCB overlooked this or favored Lahore.

PCB favouring the loaded huh?

WHAT A SUPRISE.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Brother, who is emerging?

Naeem

 

[TeymurBlake]

Naeem

Brother, you have more of chance of being emerging than Naeem.

 

[Hyder]

It was a joke. Because last year he was not eligible as an emerging player on technical grounds (Rashid Latif exposed this). Apparently PCB overlooked this or favored Lahore.

He should have been emerging tbh. A bloke who hasnt played any intl or 1st class and is a product of pdp. He should be emerging player in his debut season as a player

 

[TeymurBlake]

Lahore is the final lineup I have predicted or crafted.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Parvez Hussain Emon (WK)(O)
3. Abdullah Shafique
4. Ruben Hermann (O)
5. Tayyab Tahir/Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dunir Wellalage (O)
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (C)
10. Haris Rauf
11. Ubaid Shah

Surprisingly not enough players in the team, Mohammad Naeem is quite limited player for me. Haseebullah Khan is a poor get considering he isn't built for T20.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Rubin Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
10. Haris Rauf
11. Mustafizur Rehman (O)

Isn't Talat out with a shoulder injury?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Brother, you have more of chance of being emerging than Naeem.

And you have more of a chance of being emerging than Ubaid Shah.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Ruben Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
9. Haris Rauf
10. Mustafizur Rehman
11. Momin Qamar

 

[TeymurBlake]

And you have more of a chance of being emerging than Ubaid Shah.

Thank you brother

I am young at heart

 

[Maher96]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Naeem
3. Ruben Hermann (O) (wk)
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sikandar Raza (O)
7. Dasun Shanaka (O)
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi -c-
9. Haris Rauf
10. Mustafizur Rehman
11. Momin Qamar

Good team - with Talat injured now may be TT or Asif Ali can slot in at 6. I would play Abdullah at 3 and Herman at 4 like he does in SA20. Or play Emerging batter Farooq instead of Qamar and Talat spot can do to Usama Mir.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Good team - with Talat injured now may be TT or Asif Ali can slot in at 6. I would play Abdullah at 3 and Herman at 4 like he does in SA20. Or play Emerging batter Farooq instead of Qamar and Talat spot can do to Usama Mir.

Yeah actually taking Talat and the emerging player out and getting Usama Mir in makes more sense because you need atleast one proper spinner in the side.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will conduct a three-day conditioning camp at the Smart Qalandars High Performance Center in Islamabad as part of preparations for the upcoming 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League.

The camp will begin today and continue until March 18, with training sessions taking place after Iftar from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

All locally contracted players will participate in the camp alongside Zimbabwe captain and Lahore Qalandars overseas player Sikandar Raza. The camp will focus on conditioning and team preparation ahead of the new season.

The squad will regroup with all local and overseas players in Lahore on March 23 after the Eid holidays as preparations shift toward the PSL opener against Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on March 26.

 

[RidiculousMan]

For Lahore's sake I hope Mustafiz can be fit

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lahore Qalandars announced the signing of left-arm pacer Shahab Khan as a replacement for injured fast bowler Ali Shabbir

https://twitter.com/x/status/2034639329985990869

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lahore Qalandars have unveiled their coaching staff for the upcoming 11th edition of the PSL.

The coaching line-up comprises Dion Ibrahim, Amjad Ali, Riaz Afridi, Kashif Raza and Muhammad Saddiq.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2036493635362181275

https://twitter.com/x/status/2036493650595815800

 

[Cricket Warrior]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2036893073494691971

 

[BouncerGuy]

Zimbabwe allrounder Ryan Burl has joined the Lahore Qalandars squad in Lahore and will be available for selection in the upcoming matches. He landed early morning. The Qalandars began their campaign with a win over Hyderabad Kingsmen and will next face Karachi Kings this evening at Gaddafi Stadium.

Burl arrives as an experienced left-handed all-rounder with an impressive T20 résumé. Having played over 200 matches in the format, he has scored around 3,750 runs with his aggressive middle-order batting, while also contributing 97 wickets through his effective leg-spin, adding valuable balance to the side.

Among the overseas players who have joined the squad are Rubin Hermann, Daniel Sams from Australia, Mustafizur Rahman & Parvez Hossain Emon from Bangladesh, and Dunith Wellalage from Sri Lanka.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Decent player. His spin bowling will be useful as the tournament progresses.

 

[Ball Blazer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038221012588978311

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038221012588978311

I understand the need for security and all that but releasing a public report like this on social media is just not it. Come on, have some sense.

 

[RidiculousMan]

I understand the need for security and all that but releasing a public report like this on social media is just not it. Come on, have some sense.

We know why these reports are released or leaked

 

[Ball Blazer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038221012588978311

Sikandar Raza:

> “I was there, and I can clarify that Shaheen Shah Afridi did not do it intentionally—it happened at my request.

> I told him that my family and friends had come. This is my fifth year, and in the previous four years, I never had the opportunity to meet them like this. If there were SOPs in place, I wasn’t fully aware of them, and to some extent, neither was Shaheen.

> So, if you are looking for someone responsible, that person is me—not Shaheen. He only acted because I requested him. My family had come, and I couldn’t meet them in the business centre, so we spent around 40 minutes upstairs.

> Regarding the anti-corruption concerns, we provided our ID cards. I personally know the people who came to meet me—we have been together since childhood. I’ve known them for nearly 19 years.

> My wife and children are also coming, and I just want to emphasize that my family is here—people I don’t get to see throughout the year.

> To be clear, Shaheen did not act on his own. It was my decision, and I take responsibility for it. We also requested a few PCB members, and I’m sure the matter will be looked into. But as far as Shaheen is concerned, it was entirely my call.”

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lahore Qalandars has taken strong notice of the recently reported incident dated March 28 concerning an alleged breach of security protocol involving its players.

The franchise promptly initiated a comprehensive internal review to establish the facts and ensure that all actions remain aligned with the standards and regulations governing the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Following this review, Lahore Qalandars confirmed that an isolated incident did occur at the team hotel; however, it has been overstated in public discourse and amplified beyond its actual context.

In the interest of maintaining discipline and demonstrating accountability, the franchise has taken a voluntary and proactive step by imposing a fine of PKR 1 million on Shaheen Shah Afridi for his involvement. Lahore Qalandars has also formally communicated a detailed response, along with its observations on the matter, to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The franchise expressed its sincere appreciation for the efforts of security personnel, recognising their essential role in ensuring a safe and secure environment for players, officials, and spectators.

While underscoring that the matter arose from a misunderstanding rather than any deliberate attempt to violate established procedures, Lahore Qalandars reiterated its full respect for all security protocols.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and emphasised the importance of continued clarity and alignment in the communication of protocols to prevent similar situations in the future.

Lahore Qalandars also expressed regret over the undue public attention surrounding the incident, noting its impact on the reputation of both the franchise and the broader PSL. The organisation emphasised that the matter was unnecessarily escalated, affecting the league’s image at both domestic and international levels.

Reiterating its unwavering respect for established security frameworks, Lahore Qalandars called for balanced and responsible reporting and reaffirmed its commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and full cooperation with all governing authorities.

Lahore Qalandars will not make any further comment on this matter.