Shaheen Afridi Reflects on Qalandars’ Defeat, Cites Unfavorable Circumstances

LAHORE: Following Lahore Qalandars’ seven-wicket loss to Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10’s 14th match at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi shared his thoughts on the game.

After being asked to bat, the Qalandars were dismissed for a modest 129 in 19.2 overs, despite a notable half-century from Sikandar Raza.

The Qalandars had a shaky start, with Fakhar Zaman (10) being bowled by Alzarri Joseph in the second over.

The team then lost two more wickets in the subsequent over, including Asif Ali, who managed five runs off six balls.

Tactical Decision

Addressing the decision to have Asif Ali open, Shaheen explained that the intention was to challenge the notion that Ali is only suitable for batting in the lower order.

Shaheen’s Statement

“We decided to have Asif open. He possesses considerable experience opening in domestic cricket, making it a comfortable adjustment for him,” Shaheen stated.

“Our objective is to challenge the perception that he is limited to a lower-order role, and hopefully, broaden that perspective,” he added.

Reflection on the Match

Reflecting on the defeat, the left-arm pacer, who achieved economical bowling figures of 2/22 in his four overs, suggested that the Qalandars experienced some misfortune, as things didn’t unfold as planned despite the team’s efforts.

More from Shaheen

“We faced some bad luck tonight. The team members made an effort, but in cricket, sometimes things just don’t go your way,” Shaheen commented.

“A score of 160-170 would have presented a competitive target to defend on this pitch, but it wasn’t achievable.”