Disclaimer:
This article is based on an interview originally conducted by Saj Sadiq for PakPassion. The questions and answers have been transcribed and rewritten in a personalized style for narrative and clarity purposes. All insights and statements attributed to Sameen Rana reflect his original comments as shared in the interview. This is a fan-driven reinterpretation and is not officially affiliated with PakPassion or Lahore Qalandars.
Watch Full Interview on Pak Passion YouTube Channel
For over a decade, Lahore Qalandars have lived through every shade of cricketing emotion — heartbreaks, breakthroughs, and historic triumphs. But through every high and low, one constant has held the franchise together like glue: Sameen Rana. In this rare conversation with Saj Sadiq (PakPassion), the Qalandars COO and team director opens up about their third PSL title, the risks, the rebuilds, and what really makes this team different from the rest.
“This One Was Different” — Sameen Rana On Winning PSL 10
“We’ve won before. But this one, it meant more.”
Sameen doesn’t hold back. This title — their third — came in PSL’s 10th year, in a season where everything felt stacked against them. Injuries. Departures. A coaching staff in flux. A string of losses that pushed the team into survival mode. But the way the squad rallied, especially in the final, is what made it special.
“Every game became do-or-die. No room for error. But credit to Shaheen and the entire group — they didn’t fold.”
Four Finals in a Row — What’s the Secret?
You don’t get to four straight finals by luck alone.
“It’s part blessing, part planning,” Sameen says with honesty.
The real secret? Trust. A tightly knit core that’s been built over years. Decisions taken with clarity, not panic. Even in the final, when a last-man replacement had to be made due to concussion, it was someone already mentally prepared for that scenario.
“We don’t just build squads. We build understanding.”
The Draft — And the Mistake That Became a Lesson
Last year, Sameen admits he got it wrong.
“As defending champions, I got casual. That won’t happen again.”
Sameen Rana spent three months in Pakistan this time, revisiting everything — what failed, what worked. Big names like David Warner were floated. But Qalandars went with balance. Daryl Mitchell fit the puzzle better.
“We’ve stopped chasing stardom. We now chase team balance.”
Sikandar Raza — The Soul of Qalandars
If there’s one player Sameen lights up talking about, it’s Sikandar Raza.
“He’s the kind of player every franchise dreams of. Full heart. Full energy. No drama.”
From playing a Test match to hitting the winning runs in a PSL final — all in 24 hours — Raza’s journey is pure Qalandars spirit. He wasn’t just picked for skill. He was picked for who he is.
“We choose people. Performances follow.”
On Loyalty to Shaheen Afridi — and the PCB Contrast
The criticism Shaheen got after being made Pakistan captain still doesn’t sit right with Sameen.
“He didn’t choose himself. He just wore the badge with pride.”
From the time Shaheen was a teenager, Qalandars treated him like family. That bond never wavered, even when the noise grew loud outside.
“When others questioned him, we doubled down on belief. That’s what great athletes need.”
When Sameen Rana Became the Coach
This season, with coaching disruptions, Sameen Rana quietly stepped in.
“I didn’t call myself coach. I just managed the family.”
Having worked behind the scenes with legends like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, he knew the role wasn’t about technique — it was about relationships, trust, and timing.
“You don’t teach players at this level. You guide them. You hold them steady.”
Mohammad Naeem — Talent Over Technicalities
Yes, there’s noise about Naeem’s eligibility as an emerging player. Sameen’s response is simple:
“Instead of debating rules, celebrate the story.”
From their Player Development Program to international tours funded by the franchise, Qalandars backed Naeem when no one else did. They gave him confidence, clarity, and a defined role.
“We didn’t ask him to be a star. We asked him to be himself. And that was enough.”
PSL 10 — Empty Seats and Empty Narratives
Attendance, especially in Karachi, didn’t meet expectations. But Sameen points to a deeper problem.
“It’s not just logistics. It’s energy. It’s how we talk about our sport.”
The media negativity, especially when the national team struggles, hurts the PSL more than it helps.
“We took a different route. We created joy — like the Baadshahi Mosque event — and fans came back.”
Fixing the PSL — Time for Structural Change
Sameen believes the PSL needs a dedicated structure — not just seasonal attention.
“No league can run on autopilot. You need year-round management, legal, financial, and marketing support.”
He warns that without stability and expansion done right, even great leagues risk financial collapse or scandal.
“Franchises are ready. The PCB needs to match that energy.”
Qalandars: Not Just a Franchise, But a Movement
What’s next? Sameen Rana smiles.
“We never stop.”
From a new High-Performance Center at University of Lahore to a 25-city talent hunt backed by the Prime Minister’s Youth Program — Qalandars are playing the long game. They’re not just scouting talent. They’re shaping futures.
“We’re not waiting for the next Shaheen. We’re creating the platform for him to emerge.”
Final Thought
In a landscape often driven by quick wins and forgettable losses, Lahore Qalandars are building something bigger. And at the center of it, Sameen Rana — a man who doesn’t just run a team, but protects a dream.
About Sameen Rana:
Sameen Rana is the Chief Operating Officer and Team Director of Lahore Qalandars, one of the most passionate and transformative figures in Pakistan cricket. Known for his emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and unwavering loyalty to his players, Sameen has been instrumental in reshaping Qalandars from perennial underachievers into a powerhouse franchise. Under his leadership, the team has clinched three PSL titles and earned a reputation for investing in raw talent through groundbreaking initiatives like the Player Development Program. His bond with players like Shaheen Afridi and commitment to long-term growth over short-term wins set him apart as more than just a manager—he’s the heartbeat of the Qalandars.