ISLAMABAD: Ahead of the business end of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lahore Qalandars have received a significant boost with the arrival of their marquee all-rounder Sikandar Raza.
The experienced Zimbabwean international and T20 captain landed in the capital Islamabad on Wednesday along with compatriot Mas Khan.
Their arrival follows a frustrating delay caused by operational flight problems that disrupted their scheduled departure from Harare on March 16.
After successfully navigating the travel hurdles, the pair are now ready to consolidate at their respective franchise camps.
For the Callanders, the return of the 39-year-old, a proven performer in the competition’s history, is a timely boost.
Lahore Qalandars team advisor and senior official Sameen Rana came to welcome the player and expressed his relief at his safe arrival.
“Sikandar Raza is a pillar of the Lahore Qalandar organization,” said Rana. “I am grateful to him for making the journey from Harare under such difficult circumstances.”
Rana was quick to highlight the all-rounder’s influence beyond his stats. “He’s an important character on our team; he’s the glue that holds the Qalandar family together.”
Notably, the 39-year-old is one of the league’s finest players, having played 34 PSL matches till date, scoring 591 runs at a strike rate of 155.52, including three half-centuries and 20 wickets at an economy rate of 8.08.
The 11th edition of the T20 league is scheduled to run for 39 days and will feature an expanded eight-team format. Apart from the six original franchises, two new teams—Pindis and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen—will compete.
There are 44 matches in the competition and defending champions Lahore Qalandars will open their campaign against Houston Kingsmen Hyderabad on March 26 at their home ground.
Each team will play ten group-stage matches, with the top four advancing to the playoffs. The final is scheduled to be played on May 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with May 4 as a contingency date.
Six double-headers are scheduled, half of which will take place at Gaddafi Stadium.
For the first time, PSL matches will be held at six venues, with the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad and the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar joining the list along with Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.
Gaddafi Stadium has played the most matches (15), followed by Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (11). Faisalabad will host seven matches, Karachi six and Multan four.
Peshawar is set to host a match between Zalmi and Bindis on March 28.
Lahore Qalandars Squad for PSL 11:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (catch), Abdullah Shafiq, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Raoob, Usama Mir, Faqar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Farooq, Dasun Shanaka, Parvez Hossain, Tayake Mohirti, Tayake Mohirdi, Tayake Mohirdi.
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