Lahore Qalandars, led by Mohammad Hafeez and later AB de Villiers, endured another tough PSL season, finishing last with 3 wins and 7 losses. Bright spots included Fakhar Zaman’s consistent batting and Haris Rauf’s emergence as a pace talent, with 4/23 against Karachi Kings. A notable 6-wicket win over Multan Sultans saw AB de Villiers’ 52* shine. However, heavy defeats, like a 7-wicket loss to Peshawar Zalmi and a 145-run collapse against Quetta Gladiators, exposed batting frailties and inconsistent bowling. Shaheen Shah Afridi showed promise but lacked support. Despite flashes of brilliance, poor team cohesion and fielding lapses kept Lahore at the bottom, prolonging their quest for PSL glory.
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | LQ Match 10 | PSL 4 | LQ 36
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2019, or PSL 4, was another challenging chapter for Lahore Qalandars, who continued their trend of underperforming in the franchise’s early years. Finishing at the bottom of the six-team table with just 3 wins and 7 losses from 10 matches, the Qalandars, led initially by Mohammad Hafeez and later by AB de Villiers, showed flashes of potential but were plagued by inconsistent performances, batting collapses, and fielding lapses. Played across venues in the UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi) and Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore), PSL 4 saw Lahore struggle to find cohesion, despite individual brilliance from emerging talents and international stars. While the season extended their reputation as the PSL’s perennial underdogs, it also planted seeds for future growth.
League Stage: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
Lahore Qalandars entered PSL 4 with a squad boasting marquee names like AB de Villiers, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Hafeez, alongside young prospects like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. The hope was to break their cycle of bottom-table finishes, but early results dashed those expectations. Their campaign began with a string of losses that exposed familiar weaknesses.
One of their early defeats came against Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai, where they suffered a 7-wicket thrashing. Batting first, Lahore managed 171/7, with Fakhar Zaman’s 63 providing stability. However, Zalmi chased it down comfortably, led by Imam-ul-Haq’s 59, as Lahore’s bowlers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, struggled to contain the opposition. Another low point was a catastrophic 145-run collapse against Quetta Gladiators while chasing 201, one of the worst batting displays in PSL history. Shane Watson’s 80 and Umar Akmal’s 75* powered Quetta to 200/7, and Lahore crumbled to 55 all out, with Sandeep Lamichhane and Fawad Ahmed exploiting their frail middle order.
Despite the setbacks, Lahore had moments to celebrate. A standout victory came against Multan Sultans in Sharjah, where they chased 141 in 18.3 overs for a 6-wicket win. AB de Villiers, in his brief but impactful stint, smashed an unbeaten 52 off 29 balls, showcasing his class and guiding Lahore home alongside Fakhar Zaman’s 35. Another highlight was their 5-wicket win over Karachi Kings, powered by Haris Rauf’s fiery 4/23, which restricted Karachi to 133/8. Fakhar’s 56 anchored the chase, though it was a nervy finish. Lahore also secured a 22-run victory against Islamabad United, defending 171/8, with Corey Anderson’s late cameo and Shaheen’s tight bowling proving decisive.
These wins, however, were outliers. Losses piled up due to inconsistent batting and wayward bowling. Against Quetta Gladiators in another encounter, Lahore’s 143/7 was chased in 17 overs, with Umar Akmal’s 55* outshining their efforts. Their fielding, often sloppy, cost them dearly, with dropped catches and misfields inflating opposition totals. The team’s over-reliance on Fakhar Zaman for runs and Shaheen for wickets highlighted a lack of depth, and the absence of a world-class spinner further weakened their attack.
Key Performances and Players
Fakhar Zaman was Lahore’s batting mainstay, consistently delivering starts and occasionally converting them into match-defining knocks, like his 63 against Zalmi and 56 against Karachi. AB de Villiers, despite playing only a few matches due to international commitments, provided star power, with his 52* against Multan a glimpse of his brilliance. Mohammad Hafeez, doubling as captain and all-rounder, contributed with bat and ball but couldn’t inspire consistency.
On the bowling front, Haris Rauf emerged as a revelation. His raw pace and ability to take wickets, exemplified by his 4/23 against Karachi, marked him as a future star. Shaheen Shah Afridi, still early in his career, showed promise with his swing and yorkers but lacked consistent support. Spinners like Yasir Shah and Sandeep Lamichhane had moments but were often expensive, leaving Lahore exposed in the middle overs.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Lahore’s pace bowling, led by Shaheen and Haris, was their biggest asset, capable of rattling oppositions when conditions suited. Fakhar’s form and AB’s cameos gave the batting a spark, but the middle order—comprising Sohail Akhtar, Salman Butt, and others—often faltered under pressure. Fielding remained a glaring weakness, with dropped catches and poor ground fielding costing them in tight games. Leadership transitions between Hafeez and de Villiers also disrupted team strategy, and the lack of a potent spin attack hurt them in UAE conditions.
Season Context and Impact
PSL 4 was a significant season for the league, with eight matches played in Pakistan (Karachi and Lahore), boosting local fan engagement. Quetta Gladiators won the title, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final. For Lahore Qalandars, the season was another disappointment, extending their streak of finishing in the bottom two. However, the emergence of Haris Rauf and the continued development of Shaheen Shah Afridi offered hope. Fakhar’s consistency and AB’s brief brilliance showed what the team could achieve with better cohesion.
Legacy and Looking Ahead
PSL 4 was a season of flickers rather than sustained fire for Lahore Qalandars. Their three wins were a slight improvement over previous years, but the heavy defeats underscored ongoing issues with team balance and execution. The campaign, however, was a stepping stone. Haris Rauf’s breakout and Shaheen’s growth laid the foundation for Lahore’s transformation in later seasons, particularly their playoff run in PSL 5 (2020) and eventual title win in PSL 7 (2022). For fans, PSL 4 was a frustrating yet hopeful chapter, with glimpses of a brighter future for a franchise long starved of success.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has rapidly become one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world. Launched by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2016, the PSL was designed to bring high-quality, franchise-based cricket to the country—and it has delivered in style. With six power-packed teams—Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, and Multan Sultans—the league combines world-class talent with raw local energy.
In its early days, the PSL was played in the UAE due to security concerns. But year after year, the league earned enough trust and momentum to shift games back home. Now, with jam-packed stadiums in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, the PSL feels more authentic, more electric, and more connected to its roots.
What makes PSL truly special is the way it uncovers future stars. While big international names lend the league prestige, it’s the rise of young local players that steals the spotlight. Cricketers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan have used the PSL as a launchpad to shine on the world stage. Scouting systems and development programs are now core to team strategies, ensuring that Pakistan’s cricketing future stays strong.
The league also has a strong emotional pulse. It’s not just about bat and ball—it’s about identity, loyalty, and belonging. Each team has cultivated a passionate fanbase that lives every win and loss. The matches carry more than points—they carry pride, memories, and community spirit. Rivalries like Islamabad vs. Karachi or Lahore vs. Peshawar create thrilling matchdays and non-stop buzz online.
From a business and cultural perspective, the PSL has become a game-changer. It brings in sponsors, media attention, and tourist activity. It uplifts the entertainment industry through opening ceremonies, music, and viral content. Above all, it shifts the global narrative around Pakistan—highlighting the country’s talent, hospitality, and passion for sports.
Now considered a key pillar in the global T20 calendar, the PSL continues to grow every season. It’s more than a league—it’s a story of revival, resilience, and rising talent. With every match, the PSL reminds the world that Pakistan is not just a cricket-loving nation—it’s a cricket powerhouse.
