KARACHI: Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams hailed the Pakistan Super League as one of the most competitive T20 competitions in world cricket, while expressing confidence that Lahore Qalandars will make it to the final stage of the ongoing season.

As the tournament enters its decisive phase, Sams said in an exclusive interview Jio News The Callanders are fully focused on keeping the pace and finishing strong.

“Yes, 100 per cent. The guys are really looking forward to what’s going to happen. We’re going to play really thick and fast for the rest of the tournament. The aim is to get two wins here in Karachi and then go back to Lahore and qualify for the finals,” he said.

Reflecting on the quality of the league, Sams praised both the competition and the depth of local talent, noting that the environment continues to challenge and improve his game.

“The competition is one of the best in the world. The local talent here is unbelievable. Even in training, the net bowlers and players in the team are of the highest quality. It definitely motivates me to become a better cricketer,” he added.

The all-rounder epitomized the strong dressing-room culture in the Qalanders camp, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi credited for fostering a positive and player-driven environment.

“The environment is really nice. The players are coming together well, and it’s a player-driven organization. Obviously, it’s led by Shaheen. We’re having a lot of fun, but we’re training really hard. Hopefully we can translate that work into performances on the field,” he noted.

Sharing his experience of playing in Pakistan, Sams said the varied conditions provided valuable learning opportunities, especially in terms of spin and adapting to different pitching behaviours.

“Playing at different positions always helps you improve your game. The bounce here is different compared to Australia and I enjoy adapting to it. Learning to play spin when the ball turns and when it slides is very useful,” he explained.

Among personal aspirations, Sams emphasized that team success is his top priority.

“There are no specific personal goals. It’s always about winning the trophy. That’s the ultimate objective for any team you represent,” he said.

He also acknowledged the impact of the limited crowd presence, describing it as not noticeable in the context of the match.

“It’s unfortunate not to have a crowd at the stadium. They bring incredible energy and every team has passionate supporters. It would have been great to experience the Qalandars fans, but we hope they will support us from home,” he concluded.

Lahore Qalandars continue their campaign with growing momentum as they aim to secure a place in the business end of the competition.

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