PSL 6 (2021) Campaign Summary: So Close, Yet So Far

Lahore Qalandars entered PSL 6 with a point to prove. After years of disappointment, they showed flashes of brilliance but fell short of the playoffs. It was a season of promise, heartbreak, and lessons learned.

Team Snapshot: A Team on the Cusp

Lahore’s PDP was starting to pay dividends, and their fanbase remained unwavering. The squad had firepower but needed consistency.

• Captain: Sohail Akhtar
• Batting Core: Fakhar Zaman, Ben Dunk, Mohammad Hafeez
• Pace Unit: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Dilbar Hussain
• Spin Attack: Rashid Khan
• All-Rounders: David Wiese, Samit Patel
• Foreign Firepower: Joe Denly, James Faulkner, Tim David

Tournament Context: PSL 6 at a Glance

PSL 6, split by a COVID-19 postponement, ran from February to June 2021 in Karachi and Abu Dhabi. Lahore aimed to build on their PSL 5 runner-up finish.

Performance Breakdown: A Rollercoaster Ride

• Matches Played: 10
• Wins: 5
• Losses: 5
• Points: 10
• Final Standing: 5th
• Win Percentage: 50%

Lahore started strong, chasing 143/6 against Peshawar Zalmi in under 19 overs. They followed with a dominant 179/1 chase against Quetta Gladiators in 18.2 overs. Four consecutive wins set pulses racing, but the COVID break disrupted momentum. In Abu Dhabi, they pulled off a last-ball thriller against Islamabad United, chasing 143/9 to win by one run (144/5). But losses piled up, and they missed the playoffs.

Key Matches That Told the Story

• Match vs. Peshawar Zalmi: Won by 4 wickets. A clinical chase set the tone.
• Match vs. Quetta Gladiators: Won by 9 wickets. Fakhar and Dunk demolished the target.
• Match vs. Islamabad United: Won by 1 run. A nail-biting finish showcased their fight.

• Batting: Fakhar and Dunk shone, but the middle order crumbled under pressure.
• Bowling: Shaheen and Rashid were brilliant, but the support bowlers leaked runs.
• Fielding: Decent but not championship-level, with key drops costing games.
• Post-COVID Slump: The break sapped momentum, exposing squad depth issues.

Challenges That Derailed Them

• Inconsistency: Early wins raised hopes, but late losses killed playoff chances.
• Squad Depth: Injuries and form dips left them exposed.

Final Word: A Stepping Stone
PSL 6 showed Lahore could compete with the best, but they weren’t ready to win it all. The pieces were falling into place—could they seize the moment next time?

Also Read: Lahore Qalandars PSL 7 Summary