Islamabad, June 5, 2025 — As part of the ongoing PSL trophy tour celebrating their recent Pakistan Super League title win, Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana visited the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and met with Chargé d’Affaires, Natalie A. Baker.
The visit served as a goodwill gesture, bringing together representatives of Lahore Qalandars and members of the U.S. Embassy’s cricket team and fan community. During the meeting, Mr. Rana presented a signed Lahore Qalandars jersey to Ms. Baker as a token of appreciation.
Cricket diplomacy strengthens U.S.-Pakistan ties
Ms. Baker, who attended two Qalandars matches this season including the thrilling final, expressed admiration for the team’s energy, resilience, and championship performance.
“Watching cricket live has been such an exciting experience,” said Ms. Baker. “I was thrilled to see such a huge fan base and such a crowd at Gaddafi Stadium the other night. As an American, I grew up around baseball, and it’s fascinating to see the parallels and passion that cricket inspires. With both sports now part of the Olympics, I look forward to seeing them spark even greater global connection.”
She added, “I want to sincerely thank the Lahore Qalandars for welcoming me and making me feel like part of their family.”
Atif Rana highlights global growth of cricket
Mr. Rana expressed his appreciation for the Embassy’s engagement with cricket and praised Ms. Baker for her support:
“I’m truly delighted to see cricket sparking conversations at the U.S. Embassy and to witness the enthusiasm of American friends toward this beautiful game,” he said. “We’re especially thankful to Ms. Baker for attending our matches. She will forever be a part of the Qalandars family—as we say, once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar.”
PSL champions aim to expand cricket’s reach
Fresh off their 2025 PSL title victory, Lahore Qalandars continue to use the trophy tour to connect with fans and promote cricket development both locally and internationally.
The Lahore Qalandars have become one of the most successful franchises in Pakistan Super League history, securing three championships in the last four years. They remain the only team to achieve back-to-back PSL titles in 2022 and 2023.
