Lahore Qalandars PSL 2 (2017) Match Highlights
PSL 2 (2017) Campaign Summary: Flickers of Hope Amid Familiar Struggles
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings |Â LQ Match 8 | PSL 2 | LQ 16
Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars |Â LQ Match 7Â | PSL 2 | LQ 15
Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars|Â LQ Match 6 | PSL 2 | LQ 14
Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators |Â LQ Match 5Â | PSL 2 | LQ 13
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings |Â LQ Match 4 | PSL 2 | LQ 12
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi |Â LQ Match 3 | PSL 2 | LQ 11
Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars |Â LQ Match 2 | PSL 2 | LQ 10
Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars |Â LQ Match 1 | PSL 2 | LQ 09
PSL 2 (2017) Campaign Summary: Glimmers of Talent in a Sea of Struggles
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017, or PSL 2, was another difficult chapter for Lahore Qalandars, who, under the captaincy of Brendon McCullum, finished at the bottom of the five-team table with a meager record of 3 wins and 7 losses from 10 matches. Played primarily in the UAE (Dubai and Sharjah) with the playoffs and final in Lahore, the season saw Lahore grappling with persistent issues: inconsistent batting, erratic bowling, poor fielding, and a lack of team cohesion. Despite flashes of brilliance from players like Umar Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, and emerging pacer Yasir Shah, the Qalandars struggled to convert individual performances into consistent team success. While PSL 2 prolonged their reputation as the PSL’s underdogs, it also showcased early signs of the talent that would later propel them to greater heights.
League Stage: A Campaign of Missed Opportunities
Lahore Qalandars entered PSL 2 with high hopes, boasting a squad that combined international stars like Brendon McCullum, Chris Lynn, and Jason Roy with local talents such as Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, and emerging players like Fakhar Zaman and Yasir Shah. The aim was to improve on their dismal PSL 1 (2016) campaign, where they won just one match. However, their season quickly descended into a familiar pattern of heavy losses punctuated by occasional moments of brilliance.
The campaign began with a 7-wicket defeat to Quetta Gladiators in Dubai on February 10, 2017. Lahore posted a competitive 136/8, with Umar Akmal’s 30 providing some backbone. However, Quetta’s Kevin Pietersen (60* off 43) and Rilee Rossouw (33* off 25) chased the target in just 16.2 overs, exploiting Lahore’s wayward bowling. Spinners like Sunil Narine and Yasir Shah were unable to stem the flow of runs, and the pacers, including Sohail Tanvir, were expensive. Dropped catches and sloppy fielding further compounded their woes, a recurring theme throughout the season.
Another significant setback came against Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai on February 12, 2017. Lahore managed only 115/9, with Mohammad Rizwan’s 24 being the top score. Peshawar’s bowlers, led by Hasan Ali (3/23), dominated, and their batsmen, including Kamran Akmal (58*), chased the total in 14.5 overs for an 8-wicket win. This match exposed Lahore’s brittle batting, which struggled against quality pace and spin alike.
A particularly humiliating defeat came against Karachi Kings in Sharjah on February 16, 2017. Lahore collapsed to 116 all out, with Jason Roy’s 26 the only notable contribution. Karachi’s Mohammad Amir (3/27) and Imad Wasim (2/18) tore through their batting, and Babar Azam’s 49* guided Karachi to a 7-wicket win in 15.3 overs. The match highlighted Lahore’s inability to post competitive totals and their struggles to defend even modest scores.
Moments of Brilliance: Rare Victories
Despite the string of losses, Lahore Qalandars secured three victories that offered glimpses of their potential. Their first win came against Islamabad United in Dubai on February 11, 2017, a thrilling 6-wicket victory. Islamabad posted 158/7, with Shane Watson scoring 66. Lahore’s bowlers, led by Yasir Shah’s 2/19 and Grant Elliott’s tight spell, kept the target within reach. In the chase, Jason Roy’s explosive 60* off 40 balls and Umar Akmal’s quickfire 35 guided Lahore home with 4 balls to spare, boosting team morale and showcasing their batting firepower when it clicked.
Their second victory was a 17-run win over Karachi Kings in Dubai on February 25, 2017. Lahore posted 155/6, driven by Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive 56 off 36 balls and a cameo from Umar Akmal (28). Their bowlers, led by Sohail Tanvir (3/24) and Sunil Narine’s economical 2/20, restricted Karachi to 138/8 despite Kieron Pollard’s 45. This win highlighted Lahore’s ability to defend totals when their bowlers found rhythm and their fielders held catches.
The third win came against Quetta Gladiators in Sharjah on February 18, 2017, a tense 5-wicket victory. Quetta set a target of 137/8, with Rilee Rossouw scoring 60. Yasir Shah’s 2/21 and Aamer Yamin’s 2/25 kept Quetta in check. In the chase, Umar Akmal’s 47 and Fakhar Zaman’s 33 anchored Lahore’s effort, though they nearly faltered before crossing the line in 19.2 overs. This match showed their resilience in tight situations, a quality they struggled to replicate consistently.
Key Performances and Players
Umar Akmal was Lahore’s most consistent batsman, delivering crucial knocks like his 47 against Quetta and 35 against Islamabad. His ability to counterattack under pressure was a bright spot, though he couldn’t convert starts into big scores consistently. Fakhar Zaman, in his debut PSL season, emerged as a dynamic opener, with his 56 against Karachi and 33 against Quetta signaling his potential as a future star. Jason Roy provided fireworks in the win over Islamabad, but his form was inconsistent, and he struggled in other matches. Brendon McCullum, the captain, disappointed with the bat, failing to deliver the big scores expected of him, though his leadership brought energy to the team.
On the bowling front, Yasir Shah was a standout, offering control and wickets with his leg-spin. His 2/19 against Islamabad and 2/21 against Quetta were crucial in Lahore’s victories. Sunil Narine, the West Indian mystery spinner, was economical and chipped in with key wickets, like his 2/20 against Karachi. Sohail Tanvir led the pace attack with experience, taking 3/24 in the win over Karachi, but other pacers like Mohammad Irfan and Aamer Yamin were inconsistent. Grant Elliott, the New Zealand all-rounder, provided balance with his medium-pace bowling and handy batting contributions.
Young pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, still in the early stages of his career, made brief appearances but showed glimpses of his raw pace and swing. His limited role reflected Lahore’s preference for experienced bowlers, but his potential was evident.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Lahore’s batting relied heavily on Umar Akmal and Fakhar Zaman, with the middle order—comprising McCullum, Rizwan, and others—often collapsing under pressure. Their top order showed aggression but lacked consistency, leading to low totals like 115 against Peshawar and 116 against Karachi. The bowling unit had moments of brilliance, particularly from Yasir Shah and Narine, but struggled with depth. Pacers like Mohammad Irfan and Bilawal Bhatti were expensive, and the team lacked a second reliable spinner to complement Narine.
Fielding was a significant weakness, with Lahore dropping crucial catches and misfielding at key moments. These errors turned winnable games into losses, as seen in their defeats to Quetta and Peshawar. Brendon McCullum’s leadership was spirited, but tactical errors, such as poor bowling rotations and underutilizing key players like Narine in crunch situations, hurt the team. The lack of team cohesion, with frequent changes in the batting order and playing XI, further disrupted their momentum.
Season Context and Impact
PSL 2 was a landmark season for the league, as it brought the final back to Pakistan for the first time, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting the title clash on March 5, 2017. Peshawar Zalmi won the championship, defeating Quetta Gladiators in a historic match that marked a step toward reviving international cricket in Pakistan. For Lahore Qalandars, playing their home games in front of passionate crowds at Gaddafi Stadium was a highlight, but their performances failed to match the fans’ enthusiasm.
The season saw the introduction of Multan Sultans as the fifth team (though they officially joined in PSL 3), and the league’s growing popularity underscored its importance to Pakistan cricket. For Lahore, PSL 2 was a continuation of their struggles, marking their second straight bottom-table finish. However, the emergence of Fakhar Zaman as a reliable opener and the early glimpses of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s potential offered hope for the future. The team’s three wins, while modest, were an improvement over their one-win PSL 1 campaign.
Legacy and Looking Ahead
PSL 2 was a season of glimmers rather than sustained success for Lahore Qalandars. The performances of Umar Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, and Yasir Shah showed what the team could achieve with better execution and team unity. Sunil Narine’s all-round contributions and the brief appearances of Shaheen Shah Afridi highlighted the franchise’s focus on blending experience with youth. The season exposed ongoing issues—batting fragility, inconsistent bowling, and poor fielding—but also laid the foundation for future growth.
For Lahore’s management, led by coach Aqib Javed, PSL 2 was a learning curve. The emphasis on nurturing young talent, like Fakhar and Shaheen, began to bear fruit, setting the stage for their breakout performances in later seasons. The passionate support of Lahore’s fans, despite the team’s struggles, remained a driving force, pushing the franchise to rebuild and refine their approach.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has not only elevated the standard of cricket in Pakistan but has also become a vital part of the country’s sports economy. From its early seasons in the UAE to now being fully hosted in Pakistan, the league reflects the nation’s journey toward restoring international cricket at home. With glitzy opening ceremonies, star-studded lineups, and massive fan engagement on social media, PSL is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration. It also promotes unity by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to support their teams. Franchise rivalries, like Lahore Qalandars vs. Karachi Kings, add intense drama and viewership. The league’s success has encouraged youth to take up cricket seriously, seeing role models rise from humble beginnings to international stardom. PSL’s scouting programs, such as Lahore Qalandars’ Player Development Program, have discovered raw talent like Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan. With strong broadcast deals, digital presence, and growing international attention, PSL is set to expand its global footprint and influence in the coming years.
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