The conclusion of the initial phase of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 has delineated contrasting narratives within the league.

Multan Sultans have emerged as the frontrunners, asserting their dominance atop the points table with commendable performances. Their consistency and prowess signal a formidable force in the tournament, positioning them as strong contenders for the title. Conversely, Lahore Qalandars, the reigning champions, confront a disheartening sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of their struggles in PSL 2018.

The team’s string of six consecutive losses paints a picture of adversity and frustration, underscoring the challenges they face in reclaiming their winning form. Despite entering the season with high expectations, Lahore’s journey thus far has been fraught with setbacks and uncertainties.

Amidst Lahore’s turmoil, the resurgence of Quetta Gladiators adds a compelling dimension to the league. Under new leadership, the Gladiators have experienced rejuvenation, climbing to the second spot in the rankings. Their remarkable turnaround signifies the impact of effective leadership and strategic adaptations, propelling them into contention for a prominent position in the tournament standings.

The commencement of Lahore Qalandars’ season was overshadowed by the absence of Rashid Khan, a pivotal figure in their bowling arsenal. Rashid Khan’s unavailability, stemming from a recent surgery, dealt a significant blow to Qalandars’ prospects.

The continuous losses of defending PSL champions Lahore Qalandars paint a picture of adversity and frustration. How did their winning form get undone?

He is one of the most impactful players in the league’s history — he has an economy rate of just 6.1 in PSL, which is unbelievable in T20s, and surprisingly 46 percent of the balls he sends down are dot balls. Such numbers in the middle overs show that Rashid has been a game-changer for Qalandars in the middle overs.

One of the most recent examples is the final of PSL 2023, where the partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw had snatched the momentum from the Qalandars, and then Rashid bowled a brilliant spell and got two big fish, Rossouw and Rizwan, which helped the Qalandars lift their second PSL trophy in a row. Rashid Khan’s absence has left a void not only in terms of his bowling prowess but also his ability to control the game’s tempo in the middle overs.

Despite boasting a formidable bowling line-up, led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi who is renowned for his new-ball bowling as he has lethal pace and swing, and the dynamic Haris Rauf, who has emerged as a consistent threat since his debut, Qalandars’ bowling unit has struggled to maintain its previous standards.

The reliance on these key bowlers became even more pronounced following Haris Rauf’s unfortunate dislocated shoulder injury, which has sidelined him for the remainder of the PSL season.

While Shaheen Shah Afridi’s individual performances have been commendable, the overall bowling unit has failed to complement his efforts effectively. The inability to build pressure, stem the flow of runs, and capitalise on key moments in the game, highlight the collective shortcomings of the bowling line-up.

In the absence of a balanced and cohesive bowling strategy, Lahore Qalandars have struggled to maintain their previous standards and contain opposition batsmen effectively. The team’s reliance on individual brilliance rather than collective effort has proved to be a limiting factor in their quest for bowling dominance in this PSL season.

Haris Rauf’s absence has further exacerbated Qalandars’ bowling woes, as his ability to generate pace and deliver crucial breakthroughs in the middle and death overs has been a cornerstone of their bowling strategy. His unavailability not only weakens their bowling attack, but also places added pressure on other bowlers to fill the void and perform consistently.

Lahore Qalandars’ campaign got off to a disappointing start with a defeat against Islamabad United, marking the end of their impressive five-match winning streak against United. This loss served as an early setback for Qalandars, highlighting the challenges they would face in the tournament.

Even on their home turf in Lahore, Qalandars faced another defeat, this time at the hands of Multan Sultans, a team they had previously dominated. Ifti Mania entertained the fans in both encounters against Qalandars, where Iftikhar Ahmed scored 34(11) and 40(18) unbeaten, and Lahore’s bowling had no answer to him.

Fakhar Zaman, a stalwart of Lahore Qalandars in previous seasons, has struggled to mirror his past heroics in PSL 2024. In contrast to his impactful performances, Fakhar has contributed minimally, tallying just 93 runs in six games, with a strike rate of 102. This is a stark deviation from his stellar performances in PSL 2022 and 2023, where he amassed 592 and 429 runs respectively, with striking rates of 153 and 160.

These numbers underscore Fakhar’s diminished impact on Lahore Qalandars’ batting line-up this season, a concern that adds to the team’s challenges in finding their winning form.

Captaincy under Shaheen Shah Afridi has been another concern this season, unlike his attacking tactics in the past. Some bowling changes and batting order decisions let Qalandars down, as Shaheen himself did not bowl in the middle overs in most of the games and Zaman Khan, who is a better death overs bowler, was overbowled in that phase. In a game against Islamabad United sending Ahsan Bhatti ahead of Sikandar Raza and Carlos Brathwaite in batting was also a surprising call, where they both just played one ball each, and Lahore lost the game.

Moreover, Qalandars’ selection has also been under criticism, as Lahore picked the same style top-order batters like Shai Hope, Abdullah Shafique and Sahibzada Farhan and missed the trick to pick explosive middle-order T20 batters. They also could not find a good spin-bowling replacement for Rashid Khan.

In the wake of consecutive defeats, Lahore Qalandars find themselves under increasing pressure. Former player Mohammad Hafeez has openly questioned the team’s selection process, citing his own exclusion, despite being the player of the match in the 2022 final. Abdullah Shafique, the top scorer in the 2023 final, has also been sidelined. Hafeez mentioned this on a show on A Sports.

Having been virtually knocked out of contention for the playoffs, Lahore Qalandars are facing the harsh reality of their situation. With their backs against the wall, Lahore Qalandars must now refocus their efforts. It is crucial for them to return to the drawing board and reassess their strategies. Despite the disappointing turn of events, there is an opportunity to plan better for the future.

The writer is a software engineer who employs data and statistics to dissect cricket intricacies with precision and insight. X: @abubakarSays_

Published in Dawn, EOS, March 10th, 2024