Lahore Qalandars PSL 5 (2020) Match Highlights
PSL 5 (2020) Campaign Summary: From Perennial Underdogs to Heartbreaking Heroes
Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars | Final | LQ Match 13 | HBL PSL 5 2020
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | Eliminator 2 | LQ Match 12 | PSL 5 2020
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi | Eliminator 1 | LQ Match 11 | PSL 5
Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 10
Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 9
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi | LQ Match 8
Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings | LQ Match 7
Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators | LQ Match 6
Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 5
Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 4
Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 3
Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United | LQ Match 2
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | LQ Match 1
PSL 5 (2020) Campaign Summary: From Perennial Underdogs to Heartbreaking Heroes
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020, or PSL 5, marked a historic turning point for Lahore Qalandars, who, under the captaincy of Sohail Akhtar, transformed from perennial underachievers to genuine contenders. For years, the franchise had been the PSL’s whipping boys, often finishing at or near the bottom of the table. In 2020, they defied expectations, reaching their first-ever PSL final and finishing fourth in the league stage with 5 wins and 5 losses from 10 matches. Despite falling short against Karachi Kings in the final, their campaign was a testament to resilience, individual brilliance, and the emergence of a core that would shape their future success. Played entirely in Pakistan across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan, PSL 5 was a landmark season for the league and a breakout one for Lahore Qalandars.
League Stage: A Rollercoaster of Triumphs and Setbacks
Lahore Qalandars entered PSL 5 with a revamped squad, blending experienced players like Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, and Ben Dunk with young talents like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Their campaign began with a mix of promise and frustration. Early in the season, they secured a commanding 71-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in Lahore. Batting first, they posted 209/5, powered by Chris Lynn’s aggressive 39 and a strong middle-order contribution. Shaheen Shah Afridi then tore through Quetta’s batting with a sensational 4/18, bowling them out for 138. This win set the tone for Lahore’s attacking brand of cricket.
Another highlight was their clash against Karachi Kings, where Ben Dunk delivered one of the most memorable knocks of the tournament. Chasing 187, Lahore were in trouble at 49/3, but Dunk’s explosive 99* off just 40 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes, turned the game on its head. Supported by Sohail Akhtar’s 68, Lahore chased the target in 17.1 overs, winning by 8 wickets. Fakhar Zaman also played a pivotal role throughout the league stage, anchoring the batting with consistent scores, including a match-winning 63 in a tense chase against Peshawar Zalmi, where Lahore gunned down 132 in 18.5 overs for a 5-wicket victory.
However, consistency eluded them. A 5-wicket loss to Multan Sultans exposed their vulnerability in defending modest totals, as Multan chased 138 with ease. Another setback came against Islamabad United, where Lahore’s 182/6, bolstered by Hafeez’s 35, was overhauled in 19.5 overs, with Colin Munro’s 87 proving decisive. These defeats in close games highlighted Lahore’s struggles with middle-order stability and death-over bowling, areas that would haunt them later.
Playoffs: A Historic Run Cut Short
Finishing fourth with 10 points, Lahore qualified for the playoffs, a significant milestone for a franchise that had never reached the knockout stages before. In Eliminator 1, they faced Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi on November 14, 2020. Batting first, Zalmi posted 170/9, with Shoaib Malik’s 39 anchoring their innings. Lahore’s bowlers, led by Dilbar Hussain (3/33) and Haris Rauf’s pace, kept things tight. In response, Fakhar Zaman’s 46 and a composed 55 from Mohammad Hafeez guided Lahore to a 5-wicket win with 4 balls to spare, advancing them to Eliminator 2.
In Eliminator 2, Lahore again faced Peshawar Zalmi. Zalmi set a challenging 171/6, but Lahore’s chase was powered by a blistering 74* off 46 balls from Ben Dunk and 39 from David Wiese. They sealed another 5-wicket victory, this time with one ball to spare, earning a spot in the final against Karachi Kings on November 17, 2020, in Karachi.
The final was a bitter pill for Lahore Qalandars. Batting first, they managed only 134/7, with Tamim Iqbal’s 35 and a late cameo from Wiese providing some respectability. Karachi’s bowlers, led by Umaid Asif (2/18), kept Lahore in check. In response, Karachi Kings, powered by Babar Azam’s unbeaten 63, chased the target in 18.4 overs, winning by 5 wickets. Lahore’s bowlers, including Shaheen and Haris, fought hard, but the low total proved indefensible. The loss was heartbreaking, but reaching the final was a monumental achievement for a team long considered the league’s underdogs.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Lahore’s bowling was their standout feature in PSL 5. Shaheen Shah Afridi, already a star, led with pace and precision, while Haris Rauf emerged as a genuine wicket-taker, his raw speed troubling batsmen. Dilbar Hussain and Samit Patel provided depth, though the spin department lacked a world-class option. In batting, Fakhar Zaman was the linchpin, delivering consistent runs, while Ben Dunk’s ability to shift gears made him a game-changer. Mohammad Hafeez and Sohail Akhtar chipped in but struggled for consistency, and the middle order often crumbled under pressure. Fielding remained a weak link, with dropped catches costing them in tight games.
Season Context and Impact
PSL 5 was historic as the first PSL season played entirely in Pakistan, a milestone for cricket in the country. The tournament was briefly suspended in March 2020 due to COVID-19 but resumed in November with the playoffs. Lahore Qalandars’ journey captivated fans, as their aggressive cricket and never-say-die attitude won hearts. The emergence of Haris Rauf and the continued growth of Shaheen laid the foundation for future success. Sohail Akhtar’s leadership, while not flawless, galvanized the team, and their playoff run proved they could compete with the best.