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[PICTURES/VIDEO] Lahore Qalandars - Player Development Program

Have established a pretty good high performance center with modern machines and facilities. Need more like these from PCB as well.
 
Lahore Qalandars
Press Release

Lahore, 18/08/2023:

The reigning Champions of HBL Pakistan Super League, Lahore Qalandars continuing its legacy to unearth the hidden talent of Pakistan by announcing the initiation of Player Development Program (PDP) 2023. The talent hunt program, offers an opportunity to Pakistan’s emerging and aspiring talent to exhibit their bowling skills.

The PDP has already garnered an overwhelming response, with over thousand aspiring cricketers appeared in the trials at QHPC. The selection process aimed to provide each individual with a chance to shine but the selected players will receive a scholarship for a year to train at Qalandars High Performance Centre.

Building upon the success of the previous year, Lahore Qalandars nurtured talent by handpicking 22 promising individuals from the trials. Under the guidance of esteemed coaches, seven players from this batch earned a place in the Lahore Qalandars' squad for the PSL 2023, representing the team on the field.

At a press conference, Lahore Qalandars' Owner and CEO, Atif Rana, expressed excitement, stating, "We are thrilled to witness the emergence of such gifted players. Our conviction has always been that Pakistan boasts exceptional cricketing prowess and all that is required is the right platform for their talents to flourish."

Director of Cricket Operations, Aqib Javed, said, "We've seen clear results that affirm our faith in these young players. Our mission remains constant – to unearth the best talent and empower them to realize their full potential. The PDP is more than just a talent search; it's a transformative journey, shaping raw potential into accomplished performers."

Lahore Qalandars, the vibrant frontrunner in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), proudly celebrated its championship victories in PSL seasons 7 and 8. The franchise's accomplishments extended beyond national boundaries, clinching the champions' title in the Zim Afro T10 League held in Zimbabwe.
 

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Eight budding Zimbabwe cricketers have landed in Lahore to train in QHPC

LAHORE, 9 September, 2023:

Pakistan's leading cricket franchise, Lahore Qalandars is proud to announce the arrival of eight talented cricketers from Zimbabwe, who are set to undergo an intensive four-month training program at the Qalandars High-Performance Centre. These players are the findings of first ever collaborated Player Development Program in Zimbabwe which marks a significant milestone in promoting cricket talent in Zimbabwe.

This extraordinary collaboration between Lahore Qalandars, Global T10 and Zimbabwe Cricket took root with the inception of the Player Development Program in Zimbabwe. The PDP trials were simultaneously held in three different cities of Zimbabwe in July. Over 100 players featured in thes trials conducted in Harare, Bulawayo and Kew Kew before the commencement of the inaugural Zim Afro T10 League. It was aimed to discover and groom hidden cricketing gems in Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, these eight players will hone their skills under the guidance of renowned coaches and experienced professionals at the Qalandars High-Performance Centre Lahore. This initiative reinforces Lahore Qalandars’ commitment to nurturing and developing emerging cricketing talents worldwide.

Former Zimbabwean cricketer Elton Chigumbura is accompanying these rising stars as their manager. Chigumbura, with a rich cricketing background and a strong legacy, brings invaluable experience and mentorship to these budding cricketers.

These eight players emerged as the shining stars of the Player Development Program, showcasing immense potential, raw talent, and unwavering dedication. Lahore Qalandars recognized their exceptional abilities and extended an invitation to nurture their skills further in the state-of-the-art facilities of Qalandars High Performance Centre Lahore.

Sameen Rana, owner of Lahore Qalandars:

"We are thrilled to welcome these eight outstanding players from Zimbabwe to Lahore. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to global cricket development.

We believe in the power of cricket to unite nations, and through this initiative, we hope to strengthen the cricketing bonds between Pakistan and Zimbabwe."

Elton Chigumbura, Former international Zimbabwean cricketer:

“We are delighted on a warm welcome in Lahore. We are hopeful that this journey promises to be a transformative experience for these talented players.

“I am sure this four-month extensive program will benefit our players to get nurtured from world-class facilities, personalized coaching, and exposure to the international cricketing environment in Qalandars High Performance Centre. This exchange of knowledge and expertise will not only enhance our players skills but also foster a sense of unity and brotherhood among cricketers across borders.”

Shaji ul Mulk, Chairman Global T10 League:

"I am absolutely pleased that our collaboration with Zimbabwe Cricket, and Lahore Qalandars has been a tremendous success, and the commencement of four-months training program is a testament to the talent we've discovered during the PDP trials conducted in Zimbabwe.

“In this collaboration, we are committed to nurturing and developing these players, providing them with world-class training facilities and coaching, and helping them reach their full potential.

“I believe this partnership will not only benefit these young cricketers but also strengthen the ties between three cricketing bodies."

Furthermore, In the second phase of this landmark deal between Lahore Qalandars and Zimbabwe Cricket, six fast bowlers from Qalandars High Performance Center will feature in upcoming domestic season in Zimbabwe, while Zimbabwe U19 and national women cricket teams will land in Lahore to prepare for their upcoming tours. Their schedule of arrival will be shared in due course.
 
Hafeez, Azhar take a dig at Lahore Qalandars' Players Development Program

Lahore Qalandars' Players Development Program aims to discover and nurture young cricket talents who haven't been part of Pakistan's domestic cricket setup before

Former Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali have taken a critical stance on Lahore Qalandars' Player Development Program (PDP), highlighting concerns over its effectiveness in producing international-level talent.

Expressing their views on a local sports channel, Hafeez emphasized the program's active engagement but questioned its ability to deliver standout performers beyond Haris Rauf.

"So far, whatever progress Lahore Qalandars have made within the PDP, there is no doubt that they are very active. But so far, apart from just Haris Rauf, we haven't seen a product of the PDP that has caught our eye at the international level," Hafeez said.

"And that product of the PDP, which you have found, is performing. When they started to think outside, they started picking the right players. The PDP program is good for cricket promotion, it enhances the franchise's hype, but it is not performing on the ground," he further added.

Azhar Ali noted the inclusion of established players like Fakhar Zaman in Lahore Qalandars' roster, implying that the franchise may rely more on pre-existing talent rather than solely on the PDP for player development.

"They have also added Fakhar Zaman and many other players who were already in the system," Azhar said.

It is worth noting that Lahore Qalandars' Players Development Program was launched in 2016. This program aims to discover and nurture young cricket talents who haven't been part of Pakistan's domestic cricket setup before. The program's representatives travel to different cities, organizing trials and forming city-based teams. These teams then compete in a tournament supervised by the Qalandars, and standout players are selected for advanced training at the Qalandars High-Performance Center (QHPC) in Lahore.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
 
NED University of Engineering and Technology and Lahore Qalandars Form Strategic Partnership to Enhance Sports Excellence

Karachi, May 14, 2024 - NED University of Engineering and Technology (NED) Karachi and two-time PSL champions Lahore Qalandars have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a transformative collaboration aimed at advancing sports excellence and promoting talent development in Pakistan.

Under this MoU, Lahore Qalandars and NED University will establish a state-of-the-art Sports High Performance Resource Centre named the 'NED-Qalandars High Performance Centre (NED-QHPC),' symbolizing the partnership's commitment to fostering cricketing talent.

Lahore Qalandars, a leading and most active PSL franchise, will contribute expertise and resources to modernize the Centre, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and commercial practices.

The collaboration extends beyond facility enhancement, as Lahore Qalandars, with its Qalandars High Performance Center, will explore commercial opportunities at the NED-QHPC while also benefiting from training, rehabilitation, and capacity-building services.

The MoU, effective immediately, will span five years with provisions for further extensions.

Additionally, the partnership aims to create formal certification and degree programs in professional sports, leveraging the combined expertise of NED University and Lahore Qalandars.

Lahore Qalandars will also manage the biomechanics laboratory at NED University, leveraging technology to assist bowlers in rehabilitating their bowling actions, preventing injuries, and enhancing performance through sports science.

The integration of biomechanics represents a groundbreaking addition to the ecosystem of Lahore Qalandars' player development program. In addition to its world-class training facilities, talent development programs, and pathways for athletes, Qalandars will now harness the power of sports sciences through biomechanics.

This initiative makes Lahore Qalandars the first T20 franchise to establish a comprehensive ecosystem dedicated to talent development. Lahore Qalandars already operate a successful High Performance Center in Lahore, and another center is under construction at the University of Lahore. The utilization of biomechanics underscores Lahore Qalandars' commitment to innovation and excellence in player development, further solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the realm of sports performance.

Dr. Sarosh H. Lodi, Vice Chancellor NED University, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "This partnership marks a significant step towards nurturing local sporting talent and advancing sports science in Pakistan. We look forward to leveraging Lahore Qalandars' expertise to create a world-class sports facility. Their services in the field of talent hunt and development is paramount and have given over 50 players to the national cricket circuit of Pakistan.”

Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, emphasized the importance of talent development by incorporating a Biomechanics Laboratory at NED University. He stated, "I thank NED University and its management for trusting our system and becoming a part of it.' Our collaboration with NED University aligns with our vision of fostering grassroots sports talent. Together, we aim to establish a premier hub for sports excellence. We have a state-of-the-art facility in Lahore for development, and with NED in Karachi, we aim to extend our outreach, allowing talent to thrive and grow.”
 
According to reports, Lahore Qalandar has found a new fast bowling sensation Faheem Khan from Lahore who has bowled 162.3 kmph in trials of PDP.

He has bowled 2 overs consecutively above 160 kmph.
 
Here is how Mohammad Naeem went from being identified in PDP trials in 2016 to being picked for PSL 10 by Lahore Qalandars:

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Pretty cool to see Salman Mirza's journey with the Lahore Qalandars. He was picked from open trials in 2017, which is amazing considering 20,000 people were trying out! He kept getting reselected, playing in different tournaments, and then by 2021, he was actually playing in the PSL. Fast forward to 2025, and he's still part of the Qalandars setup.

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Qalandars PDP has played a crucial role in unearthing talent. Salman and Naeem are just two of the many examples. I wonder why other franchises do not replicate it
Pretty cool to see Salman Mirza's journey with the Lahore Qalandars. He was picked from open trials in 2017, which is amazing considering 20,000 people were trying out! He kept getting reselected, playing in different tournaments, and then by 2021, he was actually playing in the PSL. Fast forward to 2025, and he's still part of the Qalandars setup.

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In a country where the grassroots structure is so weak, LQ have done an amazing job unearthing so much raw talent. Sadly because the structure is still so weak we are not seeing enough of these youngsters develop into fully-formed players. You can't blame LQ for that, they are trying everything they can. But what's surprising is that PCB have made no attempts to collaborate with them and or find a way where they combine their synergies for the benefit of Pakistan cricket. Just goes to show what a visionless organization the PCB really is.
 
In a country where the grassroots structure is so weak, LQ have done an amazing job unearthing so much raw talent. Sadly because the structure is still so weak we are not seeing enough of these youngsters develop into fully-formed players. You can't blame LQ for that, they are trying everything they can. But what's surprising is that PCB have made no attempts to collaborate with them and or find a way where they combine their synergies for the benefit of Pakistan cricket. Just goes to show what a visionless organization the PCB really is.
LQ is definitely very sincere for the betterment of Pak Cricket. It's a shame PCB doesn't pay heed to player development even though it is supposed to be the caretaker of Pak Cricket.
 
In a country where the grassroots structure is so weak, LQ have done an amazing job unearthing so much raw talent. Sadly because the structure is still so weak we are not seeing enough of these youngsters develop into fully-formed players. You can't blame LQ for that, they are trying everything they can. But what's surprising is that PCB have made no attempts to collaborate with them and or find a way where they combine their synergies for the benefit of Pakistan cricket. Just goes to show what a visionless organization the PCB really is.
What stops other franchises from replicating LQ's PDP? LQ have given us a number of talented faces.
 
Waqar Younis "Credit goes to Lahore Qalandars for sticking with him (Naeem) when he wasn't in touch. Now he's making them proud , Lahore always surprises you."
 
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