[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Lahore Qalandars PSL 10 | Squad and Discussion Thread

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Full draft picks for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 10 (2025)

Daryl Mitchell and Kusal Perera headline Lahore Qalandars’ Championship-Ready Squad for HBL PSL 10

Lahore, 13 January, 2025: Lahore Qalandars have reaffirmed their status as one of the HBL Pakistan Super League’s most exciting teams by assembling a stellar squad at the HBL PSL 10 Draft. With bold selections, strategic retentions, and a focus on regaining their winning momentum, the two-time champions are gearing up to clinch their third title in style.

Leading the charge in the draft, the Qalandars made a marquee Platinum pick by bringing in Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand’s celebrated all-rounder. Mitchell’s ability to deliver with both bat and ball, coupled with his experience in pressure situations, adds immense depth to the Qalandars’ lineup.

In the Diamond category, Lahore Qalandars strengthened their top-order firepower with the inclusion of Kusal Perera. The explosive Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter is renowned for his aggressive stroke play, making him a valuable addition to the Qalandars’ attacking style of cricket.

Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Rishad Hosain, Muhammad Akhlaq were picked in Silver category, while Momin Qamar and Muhammad Azab were picked as Emerging players.

In the Supplementary round, Sam Billings was picked using the RTM card, which was activated against Islamabad United. In the same round, United then picked Rassie van der Dussen, who appeared for Qalandars last season. Billings serves as the third wicketkeeping option available for Qalandars.

Tom Curran, Salman Mirza and Mohammad Naeem are the other Supplementary picks.

The squad will once again be led by the inspirational Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose leadership and on-field heroics were instrumental in Lahore’s historic triumph last season.

Team Director Sameen Rana expressed his confidence in the team:
“We’ve built a squad that combines experience, skill, and passion. With Daryl Mitchell and Kusal Perera joining our already strong core, we’re confident this team will perform at the highest level. Under Shaheen’s leadership, we’re ready to give our fans another season to remember.”

Full squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) (all Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka) (all Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan (all Gold), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, David Wiese (Namibia), Rishad Hosain (Bangladesh), Muhammad Akhlaq (all Silver), Momin Qamar and Muhammad Azab (both Emerging), Tom Curran (England), Sam Billings (England), Salman Mirza, Mohammad Naeem (all Supplementary)
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These guys look decent too. Strong bowling. It's been a while since I've seen how Asif Afridi has been performing but he was a canny operator back in the day. Could slot in nicely with a strong pace attack around him.
 
Fakhar
Kusal
Daryl
Akhlaq
Sikander
Asif
Weise
Jahandad
Shaheen
Rauf
Zaman/Asif
 
Fakhar
Kusal Perera
Abdullah Shafique
Daryl Mitchell
Sikandar Raza
Asif Afridi/emerging player
Wiese
Janhadad Khan
Shaheen Afridi
Rauf
Zaman Khan

Should be making the semi final they have a very balanced squad.
 
It wil
These guys look decent too. Strong bowling. It's been a while since I've seen how Asif Afridi has been performing but he was a canny operator back in the day. Could slot in nicely with a strong pace attack around him.
will be interesting how they fit the emerging player in the xi.
 
It wil
will be interesting how they fit the emerging player in the xi.
Have any past emerging players actually emerged or do they fade away?

No idea who LQs are but it seems like they will have to basically hide a kid in the line up.
 
Have any past emerging players actually emerged or do they fade away?

No idea who LQs are but it seems like they will have to basically hide a kid in the line up.
Depends upon the team and how they made the pick

ISB under Misbah was developing youngsters and at one point they were playing 2-3 emerging players at the same time. Faheem ashraf, Shadab, Rumman they all came from the emerging qouta.

Now ISB under Shadab is just a joke. The emerging is basically picking a friend from the U19/club or some influential persons son. Last time they picked Shamyl Hussain, who is a son of the Journalist Talat Hussain.

Alot of these idiot owners/captains think emerging category is some joke to just get your clubmate in, and forgetting that the emerging will play every game no matter what. This is why you need to have 3-4 proper emerging players, cause one guy will play.

Multan and PZ makes their emerging pick very calculativly. Multan has developed Dhani and Abbas and PZ although i love to bash them, but their emerging players turn out to be good everytime.

LQ are more interested in using the emerging pick as a way to promote themself. They use someone from their academy, so if he does good this season of 4 seasons later with some other team, they will start doing PR that we made him.
 
Totally forgot that part. Dont have much idea about their emerging picks but ig they ll play one instead of jahandad or asif
I think it will depend if the emerging player is a spinner then Asif Afridi will go out the xi.
 
Have any past emerging players actually emerged or do they fade away?

No idea who LQs are but it seems like they will have to basically hide a kid in the line up.
I think it's hard for emerging players as they are thier to fill in a gap for example Mubasir was playing for Islamabad but he wasnt given any role but rather played in the xi becouse they had to.
 
Looks like a decent team. Seem to be lacking in the spin department so it'll be interesting what they do there but good bowling attack and seem to be a strong batting lineup.

No idea who any of their emerging picks are so good luck there.
 
Ipl is giving extra player with impact rule and psl is making teams often hide a player due to forcing them an emerging player in lineup
Either their management is bad to find good useful emerging players or the coached dont have enough trust

But often teams are hiding players in lineup
 
Wow Abdullah Shafique has been picked in the Gold category. One free wicket in the first over of every game now... all the other teams must be happy! :ROFLMAO:
 
Mohammad Akhlaq played for Lahore Qalandars during the Global Super League & looked pretty promising. Bringing him into the team from the draft is a good decision.

Even with Perera brought, I could still see Akhlaq play.
 
Ipl is giving extra player with impact rule and psl is making teams often hide a player due to forcing them an emerging player in lineup
Either their management is bad to find good useful emerging players or the coached dont have enough trust

But often teams are hiding players in lineup
I have an idea.

PSL could introduce impact rule but for emerging player only.

Increase emerging player per team to minimum 3 and allow teams to sub one emerging to another in between innings.
 
Fakhar should open with Perera. Not technique

Abdullah should bat at 3 and Mitchell at 4. Raza at 5.

Asif Ali 6 and Jahandad 7.
 
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Here is my Lahore Qalandars XI:
  1. Fakhar Zaman
  2. Abdullah Shafique
  3. Kusal Perera (Overseas)
  4. Daryl Mitchell (Overseas)
  5. Sam Billings (Overseas/WK)
  6. Sikander Raza (Overseas)
  7. Jahandad Khan
  8. Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
  9. Asif Afridi
  10. Haris Rauf
  11. Momin (Emerging) [Momin in emerging is a wrist spinner so let's see him in this PSL]
Sam Billings and Kusal Perera are both in excellent form.

Asif Afridi is a highly underrated spinner, having recently performed exceptionally well in the Global T20 league. He's not only economical but also capable of hitting the long ball.
 
Here is my Lahore Qalandars XI:
  1. Fakhar Zaman
  2. Abdullah Shafique
  3. Kusal Perera (Overseas)
  4. Daryl Mitchell (Overseas)
  5. Sam Billings (Overseas/WK)
  6. Sikander Raza (Overseas)
  7. Jahandad Khan
  8. Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
  9. Asif Afridi
  10. Haris Rauf
  11. Momin (Emerging) [Momin in emerging is a wrist spinner so let's see him in this PSL]
Sam Billings and Kusal Perera are both in excellent form.

Asif Afridi is a highly underrated spinner, having recently performed exceptionally well in the Global T20 league. He's not only economical but also capable of hitting the long ball.
That's me at no 11. I'm playing for LQ this season. Wish me luck.
 
I have an idea.

PSL could introduce impact rule but for emerging player only.

Increase emerging player per team to minimum 3 and allow teams to sub one emerging to another in between innings.
Could make something like emerging player must play 50% of group matches. Adds another tactical dimension regarding when to play or when to drop.
 
LQ should be bold and open with Asif Ali and make him captain. I believe this season could be his and he'll average more than 15. Good squad by Lahore.
 
LQ should be bold and open with Asif Ali and make him captain. I believe this season could be his and he'll average more than 15. Good squad by Lahore.
To become captain, he needs to score 16 off 26 in the powerplay and watch a required rr of 7 reach up to 12 by the 10th over

That’s elite captaincy material
 
We don't need to wait till PSL, what Daryl Mitchell could do will be abundantly clear in CT 2025
 
Kusal Perera and Fakhar are locked to open.
No they are not

Sameen Rana said on TV that the reason why they didn’t pick Warner as first pick is because they feel their opening options are fine with Fakhar and Abdullah ( :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: ), but they needed a strong middle order batsman and that’s why they chose Mitchell
 
LQ did not wanted Warner makes sense that they got the big fish yes Asif Ali could be the X factor for them like he did in recent t10 leagues
 
LQ did not wanted Warner makes sense that they got the big fish yes Asif Ali could be the X factor for them like he did in recent t10 leagues
They don’t need Warner because they have Abdullah Shafique the prince and successor of Bobsy they King of USA and Nepal
 

This guy is starting to come across as nonsense to me too. Lovely guy but this is pure dumb logic.

Bringing in Warner might compromise his situation with Fakhar and Abdullah as openers? In what world should Abdullah be an opener in the first place? Why are you so desperate to keep Abdullah over Warner??
 
Sameen Rana's views on Daryl Mitchell and Kusal Perara:

"Daryl Mitchell, in my opinion, was such a great player in this draft, who would be on the dream list of any team because he is a middle order batsman only a match winner."

"Kushal Perera, let me tell you, he is our out of the box thinking pick."
 
Sameen Rana on why LQ wanted to get Sam Billings for their squad:

"We were targeting eight retentions but (a good) wicket keeper was a gap, so we had to take a wicket keeper, Sam Billings was the reason why they won (IU), as he was the part of the winning squad.Wonderful personality plays again in the middle order, so this one was a perfect fit and we had planned earlier that we would pick Sam Billings in the diamond It was our last turn of the first round of the Diamond round and after us there was only one turn and that was of Peshawar Zalmi so we said that we cannot take risk on Sam Billing, we will pick him in the Diamond and if someone picks him first So we will take the right to match and then our next question was that you already have a wicket keeper, now you need a backup for him because there were not many options."
 
I think it was a good move to pick Mitchell in the middle order also Kusal as he can keep aswell.
 
Here is my Lahore Qalandars XI:
  1. Fakhar Zaman
  2. Abdullah Shafique
  3. Kusal Perera (Overseas)
  4. Daryl Mitchell (Overseas)
  5. Sam Billings (Overseas/WK)
  6. Sikander Raza (Overseas)
  7. Jahandad Khan
  8. Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
  9. Asif Afridi
  10. Haris Rauf
  11. Momin (Emerging) [Momin in emerging is a wrist spinner so let's see him in this PSL]
Sam Billings and Kusal Perera are both in excellent form.

Asif Afridi is a highly underrated spinner, having recently performed exceptionally well in the Global T20 league. He's not only economical but also capable of hitting the long ball.

Abd can rest for a while & Asif Ali can be tried in the middle.
  1. Fakhar
  2. Kusal
  3. Billings
  4. Mitchel
  5. Asif
  6. Raza/Murshad
  7. Jahandad
  8. Asif Afridi
  9. Shaheen
  10. Haris
  11. Emerging
 
The squad isn't looking great on paper when you compare it with the like of Karachi Kings and Islamabad United.
 
The squad isn't looking great on paper when you compare it with the like of Karachi Kings and Islamabad United.
The middle order is a bit thin considering a lot of reliance will be on Raza and Asif Ali. Who are not very consistent players and have had their fair share of struggles with the bat.

Spinners are there but they are all inexperienced barring Asif Afridi. Who I think is not a great T20 bowler.
 
Full draft picks for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 10 (2025)

Daryl Mitchell and Kusal Perera headline Lahore Qalandars’ Championship-Ready Squad for HBL PSL 10

Lahore, 13 January, 2025: Lahore Qalandars have reaffirmed their status as one of the HBL Pakistan Super League’s most exciting teams by assembling a stellar squad at the HBL PSL 10 Draft. With bold selections, strategic retentions, and a focus on regaining their winning momentum, the two-time champions are gearing up to clinch their third title in style.

Leading the charge in the draft, the Qalandars made a marquee Platinum pick by bringing in Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand’s celebrated all-rounder. Mitchell’s ability to deliver with both bat and ball, coupled with his experience in pressure situations, adds immense depth to the Qalandars’ lineup.

In the Diamond category, Lahore Qalandars strengthened their top-order firepower with the inclusion of Kusal Perera. The explosive Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter is renowned for his aggressive stroke play, making him a valuable addition to the Qalandars’ attacking style of cricket.

Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Rishad Hosain, Muhammad Akhlaq were picked in Silver category, while Momin Qamar and Muhammad Azab were picked as Emerging players.

In the Supplementary round, Sam Billings was picked using the RTM card, which was activated against Islamabad United. In the same round, United then picked Rassie van der Dussen, who appeared for Qalandars last season. Billings serves as the third wicketkeeping option available for Qalandars.

Tom Curran, Salman Mirza and Mohammad Naeem are the other Supplementary picks.

The squad will once again be led by the inspirational Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose leadership and on-field heroics were instrumental in Lahore’s historic triumph last season.

Team Director Sameen Rana expressed his confidence in the team:
“We’ve built a squad that combines experience, skill, and passion. With Daryl Mitchell and Kusal Perera joining our already strong core, we’re confident this team will perform at the highest level. Under Shaheen’s leadership, we’re ready to give our fans another season to remember.”

Full squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) (all Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka) (all Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan (all Gold), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, David Wiese (Namibia), Rishad Hosain (Bangladesh), Muhammad Akhlaq (all Silver), Momin Qamar and Muhammad Azab (both Emerging), Tom Curran (England), Sam Billings (England), Salman Mirza, Mohammad Naeem (all Supplementary)
View attachment 149658
Just realized Lahore Qalandars had also picked Sam Billings but it is not shown in this graphics.
 
Here is my Lahore Qalandars XI:
  1. Fakhar Zaman
  2. Abdullah Shafique
  3. Kusal Perera (Overseas)
  4. Daryl Mitchell (Overseas)
  5. Sam Billings (Overseas/WK)
  6. Sikander Raza (Overseas)
  7. Jahandad Khan
  8. Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
  9. Asif Afridi
  10. Haris Rauf
  11. Momin (Emerging) [Momin in emerging is a wrist spinner so let's see him in this PSL]
Sam Billings and Kusal Perera are both in excellent form.

Asif Afridi is a highly underrated spinner, having recently performed exceptionally well in the Global T20 league. He's not only economical but also capable of hitting the long ball.
That is the strongest squad LQ can field in a game. Abdullah is not in good touch but I don't think LQ is gonna bench him.
 
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