PSL 7: Pakistani bowling sensation Shaheen Afridi has vowed a ‘fresh mood’ for the Lahore Qalandars in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) seventh season 2022.
The PSL fever is building as the most anticipated athletic event of the year, the PSL 2022, approaches. On January 27, the tournament will begin in Karachi.
Read more: PSL Schedule
During an online pre-tournament discussion with the media, Shaheen expressed confidence that the Qalandars would not disappoint their fans in the upcoming PSL 7.
“Before going to Karachi, we put in a lot of practice time at the camp and tried to correct our faults.” I can promise you that the Qalandars will be a completely different squad this time. “We’ve played several practice matches to get a feel for how we’ll play in the PSL,” Shaheen remarked.
“I am glad to have the greatest bowling attack in all PSL clubs since Lahore Qalandars has elite T20 cricket talents like Haris Rauf and Rashid Khan,” he said.
Shaheen is upbeat about the Qalandars’ prospects.
The 21-year-old bowler was named captain of the Qalandars earlier this year, replacing the lesser-known Sohail Akhtar, who led the club in the 2020 and 2021 editions.
Under Sohail’s direction, Lahore reached the first-ever PSL final in 2020, when they were beaten by Karachi Kings. Following a great start in 2021, Lahore cooled down and lost successive matches, removing them from play-off contention.
In each of the preceding four seasons, the Qalandars had finished last.
The new captain, on the other hand, is hopeful that this time will be different.
When asked what changes he wants to see at Qalandars, Shaheen responded that he wants to wow people with his performance while also keeping the team together.
“My objective is to contribute with my bowling while also setting an example for the players as captain.” “There is no pressure from captaincy, and I don’t believe that my performance will be affected by my leadership,” he stated.
Shahid Afridi allegedly advised Shaheen not to take the lead, but Shaheen disregarded his advice.
“He [Afridi] believed that the strain of leadership would hinder my performance as a bowler, but I feel it would have the opposite effect, motivating me to do even better, which is why I accepted the offer.”
‘There will be no wiggle room.’
The young spinner underlined his enthusiasm for Lahore Qalandars’ crucial PSL match against Karachi Kings, which would feature a bowling and batting showdown between him and Babar Azam.
Shaheen, on the other hand, has made it plain that he would not show compassion, even if his favorite player on the field is his opponent.
“Babar is my favorite player, but when he’s on the field, he’s on the field, and there will be no mercy.” “I am confident the fans will enjoy a wonderful game,” he remarked, referring to the match between Karachi and Lahore.
“There’s no denying Babar’s ability. “You have to have a fantastic delivery to get his wicket, and that’s what I’m going to do against him – bowl my best,” Shaheen said.
In answer to a query, the pacer revealed that he currently has no intentions to become Pakistan’s captain. Instead, he admires Babar’s leadership of the squad.
“The way Babar is leading the team, I don’t even need to consider being captain; I just hope he stays in charge for the next 10-15 years.” However, if I am ever called upon to fill the post, it will be a privilege,” he remarked.
“We visited Prime Minister Imran Khan recently and received a lot of encouragement from him,” Shaheen remarked.
Prime Minister Khan had informed him that quick bowlers made better leaders, he said. He observed, “Let’s see how it works with me.”