Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy has been exposed - Azhar Ali's colossal statement

Pakistan Super League team Lahore Qalandars lost their third consecutive match at the hands of Multan Sultans in the 9th edition of the tournament. The Shaheen Afridi-led side are currently placed in the fifth spot in the PSL 2024 points table and are yet to win a match. Lahore were not able to defend their 166 score and lost the match by 5 wickets against Multan.

Former Pakistani cricketer Azhar Ali has criticized Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy. Azhar said that Shaheen’s captaincy and the team’s bowling has been exposed during the match against Multan Sultans. Azhar added that the team is also feeling the absence of Rashid Khan, and stated that the team is not getting the comfort that they got in the middle overs.

Azhar Ali tears into Shaheen Afridi

Azhar Ali said to a local Pakistani broadcaster, “I think Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy and Lahore’s bowling has been exposed. The absence of Rashid Khan is clearly hurting Lahore since they no longer have the comfort he provided to the other bowlers in the middle overs.”

Questioning Shaheen Afridi and his coordination with the Lahore Qalandars bowlers. Azhar focused on Qalandars’ tactics while they were bowling to Multan Sultans’ batter Iftikhar Ahmed. Azhar highlighted occasions where strategies were disconnected, such as bowling leg-side to hitters with fine leg up and using the third man in the circle when bowling off-stump.

He said, “When new batter Iftikhar came out to bat, they bowled leg-side to him even when fine leg was up. On the other hand, when they bowled on off-stump, the third man was up in the circle. This shows that there was no coordination between the bowler and captain.”

Further, Azhar voiced disappointment in Shaheen and Haris Rauf’s bowling efforts, implying that Lahore may face challenges with limited resources as the tournament develops.

He said, “Shaheen and Haris have not been bowling well. I think, gradually, Lahore will realise how difficult things are when you have limited resources.”

Lahore Qalandars are currently the defending champions of the Pakistan Super League. Qalandars have won the last two editions of the PSL and they have started the ninth edition of the tournament poorly. Lahore are missing the presence of Rashid Khan, who has pulled out of the tournament due to his back injury.

Lahore Qalandars must focus on the worry points as if they continue to do so, it may affect their chances to qualify for the knockouts of the tournament.

The current edition of the Pakistan Super League 2024 began on February 18, with the first match between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars. The final of the tournament will be played on March 17.

The Pakistan Super League, like the Indian Premier League, provides an opportunity for Pakistani players to showcase their talents on a global scale. Many young Pakistani players have done well in the competition and made it to the national squad.

The ninth edition of the PSL will provide the same opportunity for young Pakistani players to display their potential and earn their place on the national squad.