Lahore Qalandars have come a long way from their early struggles in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to becoming a three-time champion and one of the league’s most valuable franchises. At the heart of this transformation stands captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has not only led the team to multiple titles but also become the face of a deeper, long-term vision.
As the Qalandars recently renewed their PSL commitment for another 10 years, Afridi opened up about the franchise’s mission, its impact on Pakistan cricket, and the road ahead.
A vision that goes beyond winning
Afridi made it clear that the Qalandars’ purpose has never been solely about lifting trophies.
“Our goal is not just to win trophies. Our goal is to develop players, give them opportunities & provide new talent for Pakistan, & this vision will remain the same for the next 10 years,” Afridi said in the video released by Lahore Qalandars on their Instagram handle.
It’s a vision that has been consistent since the franchise’s inception — one rooted in player development and national contribution, not just franchise success.
“Qalandars gave opportunities to talented youngsters when many believed Pakistan had no talent,” he said.
Over the past decade, Lahore Qalandars have earned a reputation as a talent incubator, finding and grooming players who have gone on to shine at the national and international levels.
The early years: struggle before success
It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Qalandars. The franchise endured years of criticism and underperformance before its breakthrough.
“The results weren’t great in the first six seasons, but in the following four years we managed to win three trophies,” Afridi said.
Those titles came in 2022, 2023, and 2025 — the first two against Multan Sultans and the most recent over Quetta Gladiators — marking a period of dominance after years of groundwork.
Afridi credits the leadership and vision of the Rana brothers for steering the franchise through difficult times and setting it on a path to sustained success.
“The credit goes to Atif Rana and Sameen Rana for giving young players a platform to shine,” Shaheen stated.
Nurturing talent, building for the future
Throughout his reflections, Afridi returned repeatedly to the franchise’s core mission: finding and developing future stars for Pakistan cricket.
“I still remember the phase when people were saying that Pakistan doesn’t have any talent, and LQ gave the opportunity to the players to prove their worth for the nation. These 10 years of Lahore Qalandars were exciting, and our vision for the next 10 years is the same—to give maximum opportunities to players and find national treasures,” Afridi concluded.
This philosophy has been evident not only in the Qalandars’ on-field success but in their infrastructure development and scouting programs. Their investment in high-performance facilities and talent hunts across Pakistan has set them apart as a franchise that thinks beyond the PSL season.
Shaheen Afridi’s leadership and legacy
Afridi himself has been central to the Qalandars’ transformation. Since taking over as captain in 2021, he has been a driving force — both as a leader and a bowler.
With 122 wickets in 84 PSL matches and a consistent economy rate under 8, his on-field contributions have matched his off-field vision. His best season came in 2021, when he took 20 wickets in 13 matches. In the 2025 season, he added another 19 to his tally, guiding Qalandars to their third title.
His rise through the Qalandars system — from young talent to national captain — is a reflection of the very philosophy he now champions.
