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PSL 2023: Lahore Qalandars preview and probable lineup for qualifier

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After waiting for six long years, Lahore Qalandars won their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title last year after defeating Multan Sultans in the final at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.

Now, the defending champions are just two steps away from becoming the first-ever side to successfully defend their title throughout PSL history.

Under the command of their new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Qalandars look completely different from what they were before the seventh edition of the league.

Under the captaincy of Shaheen, Qalandars’ consistency since last year shows the commitment which the new captain has brought to the team as they remained table toppers in the league stage of this year’s PSL, winning seven out of 10 matches.

PSL 2023: Lahore Qalandars preview and probable lineup for qualifier

The Qalandars have now set their eyes on the qualifier against the Sultans, which is scheduled to be played on March 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Strengths

The Qalandars’ biggest strength is, perhaps, their captain Shaheen. The left-arm pacer has an unending ability to take a wicket in his first over.

Moreover, Qalandars’ overall bowling line-up, which contains the likes of Rashid Khan, Zaman Khan, and Haris Rauf, has not only been recognised as the best bowling line-up of PSL but that of any T20 team in the world.

Qalandars’ three bowlers — Rashid (15), Shaheen (14) and Haris (14) — are currently among the top five highest wicket-takers in the ongoing PSL 8.

On the other hand, opener Fakhar Zaman is the backbone of their batting line. The latter has scored 378 runs in 10 league matches including a maiden PSL century. Fakhar has the ability to provide a quick start to Qalandars against any bowling attack.

Weaknesses

Qalandars are unlucky to have their experienced fast-bowling all-rounder David Wiese out of form this season. The Namibian cricketer has so far failed to impress fans with his match-winning abilities.

Moreover, another fast-bowling all-rounder Hussain Talat is also missing his usual touch. Qalandars lack a finisher, who can also bowl wicket-taking overs, down their batting line-up.

Previous appearance in qualifier

Qalandars played the PSL qualifier only once which was last year against the same team, Sultans.

They lost the qualifier by 28 runs.

Probable lineup

Fakhar Zaman, Mirza Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Sam Billings, David Wiese, Hussain Talat, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Rashid Khan, Zaman Khan

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Haris Rauf and Usman Khan have been included in Pakistan’s ODI team for New Zealand.

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The Pakistan team management has directed fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan to remain in New Zealand and integrate into the ODI squad for the forthcoming series.

Simultaneously, eight players from the T20 squad will return to Pakistan, while five others have been integrated into the ODI team in Napier.

After concluding the T20 series, the Pakistan team and coaching staff journeyed from Wellington to Napier. Rauf and Usman, initially members of the T20 squad, have now been incorporated into the ODI roster.

The ODI team now comprises Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Muhammad Ali, and Usman Khan.

Simultaneously, Captain Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and seven additional ODI players were present in Napier. The eight remaining T20 team members, comprising Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Umair Bin Yousuf, Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, and Jahandad Khan, will return to Pakistan through Dubai.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand is scheduled to commence on March 29.

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NZ thrash Pakistan in the last Twenty20 match and hit the target in ten overs.

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Tim Siefert’s scorching undefeated score of 97 helped New Zealand overcome Pakistan handily in the last game of the five-match Twenty20 series.

Additionally, Pakistan’s bowlers were costly in the last Twenty20 match. In two overs, Jahandad Khan scored 43 runs at an economy of 21.5, Shadab Khan scored 33 runs at an economy of 16.5, Muhammad Ali scored 27 runs, and Haris Rauf scored 22 runs. In just two overs, Sufiyan Muqeem claimed two wickets and conceded just six runs, demonstrating exceptional performance.

The Pakistani batting line was unable to score a significant amount in the last Twenty20 International of the five-match series.

At Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat first in the sixth Twenty20 International.

As they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan managed to score 128 for nine wickets. In keeping with his recent success, captain Salman Ali Agha scored a half-century before being removed at 51. Mohammad Haris scored 11 and vice captain Shadab Khan scored 28.

None of Pakistan’s batters managed to reach double figures save for these three.

With the ball, James Neesham was outstanding as he recorded his first T20 fifer. Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi shared one wicket each, but Jacob Duffy took two.

Following Pakistan’s defeat in three of the four series games, the visitors made five changes to their starting lineup.

The playing XI now includes Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Jahandad Khan, and Sufiyan Muqeem, while Shaheen Afridi, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed were dropped.

Even after his contentious return to international cricket, Shadab Khan has managed to get a spot in the fifth consecutive Twenty20 International despite his dismal domestic play. He still serves as the team’s deputy captain for Pakistan.

In the last four games, the all-rounder has scored 30 runs and claimed just one wicket at an economy rate of 10 and an average of 110.

The team’s bowling unit was not playing up to par, according to bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, who also highlighted the difficulties caused by bounce and pace in New Zealand.

He suggested that Haris Rauf’s playing XI would change for the final game and commended him for his bowling performance.

New Zealand leads the five-bout match 3-1 and has already claimed the series.

The Pakistani

Hasan Nawaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Ali Agha (c), and the following individuals

New Zealand:

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke

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Pakistan and Bangladesh exclude ODIs from their bilateral series.

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The cricket boards of Pakistan and Bangladesh have resolved to eliminate ODIs from their forthcoming bilateral series.

Sources indicate that the two teams, set to compete in May, will not engage in any One Day Internationals. In light of the forthcoming T20 World Cup, the boards have collaboratively decided to substitute ODIs with T20 matches.

According to the initial itinerary, Bangladesh was scheduled to compete in three ODIs and three T20Is in Pakistan. The updated schedule now comprises five T20I matches.

Sources have said that Pakistan would visit Bangladesh outside the planned itinerary to compete in a T20I series, with a three-match T20I series anticipated in July.

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