K. Jahangir
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars opened their HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 campaign with an emphatic win over Hyderabad Kingsmen, with skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi expressing confidence in his side’s balance and depth following the convincing performance at Gaddafi Stadium.
Shaheen Afridi, who provided a powerful finish by striking two consecutive sixes in the final deliveries of the innings, praised his team’s overall effort while acknowledging there is still room for improvement. “We’ve had good preparation over the past week, and it’s showing on the field,” he said after the match.
The Qalandars built their innings on a blistering start from Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Naeem, whose aggressive approach in the powerplay put immediate pressure on the Kingsmen. Afridi highlighted the importance of that early momentum, noting it allowed his side to dictate terms from the outset. “Fakhar and Naeem gave us an excellent start. We slowed slightly in the middle overs, but that’s part of the game. It’s early in the tournament, and we have plenty of firepower to cover those phases,” he added.
On the bowling front, the Qalandars skipper emphasised the value of experience and combinations, particularly his partnership with Mustafizur Rahman and the consistency of Haris Rauf. He noted that the team’s flexibility in adjusting the playing XI has already begun to pay dividends. “We’ve played together before, and that understanding helps. Haris has been very reliable for us, and the combinations we’re trying are working well,” he said.
Reflecting on his late hitting, the Qalandars captain underlined his intent to build momentum in crucial moments. “When I’m batting, I try to build momentum for the team. Our aim was to take wickets and build pressure,” Shaheen Afridi concluded.
English