Lahore Qalandars PSL 6 (2021) Match highlights
PSL 6 (2021) Campaign Summary: Flashes of Brilliance, Falling Short of Glory
In PSL 6 (2021), Lahore Qalandars, captained by Sohail Akhtar, had a mixed campaign but showed flashes of brilliance. They finished fifth in the league stage with five wins and five losses from 10 matches. Key highlights included a nine-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi, where Rashid Khan’s 5/20 and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling stood out, and a 25-run win against Quetta Gladiators, driven by Fakhar Zaman’s 82. However, losses like the 18-run defeat to Karachi Kings, despite a strong chase, and a 10-run loss to Multan Sultans, where they fell short of 158, hurt their campaign. Ben Dunk and Fakhar Zaman provided batting firepower, while Shaheen and Rashid led the bowling. Despite early promise, inconsistent performances, especially in close games, kept them from the playoffs.
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | LQ Match 10 | PSL 6 2021
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 9
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators | LQ Match 8
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United | LQ Match 7
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi | LQ Match 6
Video Source: Lahore Qalandars Official YouTube Channel
Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United | LQ Match 5
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 4
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | LQ Match 3
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars | LQ Match 2
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi | LQ Match 1
Video Source: Pakistan Super League Official YouTube Channel
PSL 6 (2021) Campaign Summary: Flashes of Brilliance, Falling Short of Glory
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021, or PSL 6, was a rollercoaster for Lahore Qalandars, who, under the captaincy of Sohail Akhtar, displayed moments of exceptional cricket but ultimately fell short of the playoffs. Finishing fifth in the six-team tournament with five wins and five losses from their 10 league matches, the Qalandars showcased their potential with standout individual performances but struggled with consistency in crucial moments, particularly in tight chases and defending totals. The season, split between Karachi and Abu Dhabi due to COVID-19 disruptions, tested their resilience, but they couldn’t capitalize on early promise to secure a top-four spot.
Key Performances and Matches
Lahore Qalandars started the PSL 6 with optimism, blending experienced players like Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, and Ben Dunk with young talents like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rashid Khan. Their campaign kicked off in Karachi, where they faced early challenges but also delivered memorable victories. One of their standout wins came against Peshawar Zalmi, where they defended 140/6, thanks to an extraordinary spell from Rashid Khan, who took 5/20 in four overs, dismantling Zalmi’s batting to secure a nine-run victory. Shaheen Shah Afridi complemented Rashid’s brilliance with tight bowling, reinforcing Lahore’s potent pace-spin combination.
Another highlight was their 25-run win over Quetta Gladiators. Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive 82 off 52 balls powered Lahore to 178/6, and their bowlers, led by Shaheen and Haris Rauf, restricted Quetta to 153/8. Fakhar’s ability to anchor and accelerate made him a cornerstone of the batting lineup, finishing as one of the tournament’s top run-scorers for Lahore. Ben Dunk also chipped in with explosive cameos, though his form was inconsistent compared to previous seasons.
However, the Qalandars struggled in close encounters, which defined their season. Against Karachi Kings, they suffered an 18-run defeat while chasing 187, despite a spirited effort from their middle order. Another heartbreaker came against Multan Sultans, where Lahore fell 10 runs short of 158, with early wickets derailing their chase. These losses highlighted a recurring issue: an inability to close out tight games, either with the bat or ball, which ultimately cost them a playoff berth.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Lahore’s bowling attack was their biggest strength. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the spearhead, consistently troubled batsmen with his pace and swing, while Haris Rauf’s raw speed added firepower. Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, was a trump card, often turning games with his wicket-taking ability and economy. Their batting, however, was heavily reliant on Fakhar Zaman and, to a lesser extent, Ben Dunk. The middle order, including Sohail Akhtar and Mohammad Hafeez, struggled for consistency, often failing to convert starts into match-winning contributions. This lack of depth in batting was exposed in high-pressure chases.
Fielding also remained a concern, with dropped catches and misfields costing them in crucial moments. While the team showed spirit under Sohail’s leadership, tactical decisions, such as bowling changes in death overs or batting order adjustments, occasionally backfired.
Season Context and Impact
PSL 6 was a unique season, disrupted by a COVID-19 outbreak after just 14 matches in Karachi, forcing a postponement and relocation to Abu Dhabi. Lahore Qalandars adapted reasonably well to the change in conditions, but their inconsistency persisted. They finished the league stage with 10 points, tied with Karachi Kings but edged out of the playoffs due to a lower net run rate. Multan Sultans went on to win the title, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final.
For Lahore Qalandars, PSL 6 was a season of “what could have been.” The emergence of young talents like Zaman Khan, who debuted late in the season, and the continued growth of Shaheen and Haris provided hope for the future. Fakhar’s form and Rashid’s brilliance gave fans moments to cheer, but the team’s inability to string together consistent performances left them short of the knockout stages.
Legacy and Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, PSL 6 laid the groundwork for Lahore’s eventual triumph in PSL 7 (2022). The experience gained by their young core, combined with lessons from close defeats, helped shape a more resilient unit. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s development as a leader was evident, setting the stage for him to take over as captain in the next season. For fans, PSL 6 was a testament to Lahore Qalandars’ potential, even if they couldn’t convert their flashes of brilliance into ultimate glory.
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