The Lahore Qalandars in PSL 9 have rediscovered a path they strayed from four years ago. For the first time since 2020, they’ve stumbled at the start, suffering defeats in their initial three matches of the tournament. Let’s delve into the primary causes of their recent struggles.

Fielding Fumbles: The Achilles’ Heel of Lahore Qalandars

At the heart of their woes is poor fielding: The Qalandars’ fielding lapses have led to six dropped catches and one costly missed run-out, conceding 122 runs in the process. This mishap constitutes 23% of the total runs their bowlers have conceded. 

Among these, the missed catch of Muhammad Rizwan stands out as particularly grievous. Captain Shaheen Afridi’s failure to secure Rizwan’s catch when he was poised at 41 runs turned the game on its head, with Rizwan going on to score a game-changing 80 runs. In a similar vein, the opening match against Islamabad United saw Shaheen letting a catch from Shadab Khan slip through his fingers when Khan was at 24 runs.

Shadab was also handed two additional lifelines at scores of 42 and 46, through a dropped catch and a missed run-out respectively, ultimately striding off the field with a triumphant 74 not out, clinching the match for his team. Surprisingly, this isn’t a new issue; their fielding was notably the weakest last season too, with 16 dropped catches and 4 missed run-out opportunities. If the Lahore Qalandars don’t address their fielding deficiencies, they’re likely to encounter even greater hurdles in the games ahead.

Fakhar Zaman’s Dip in Form: A Key Factor in Qalandars’ Struggles

One of the main reasons behind the Qalandars’ failures is the form dip of opening batter Fakhar Zaman. The Qalandars’ performance is directly linked to Fakhar Zaman’s batting. In the last two seasons, Fakhar alone contributed 24 percent of Lahore’s runs. However, in this PSL 9 season, his contribution has dropped to just 11 percent.

While some might argue that the tournament is still in its infancy, with Lahore having played merely three games, the underlying concern is hard to ignore. This year, more than ever, the Qalandars’ batting lineup leans heavily on Fakhar Zaman, especially in the absence of several key players who were instrumental in the team’s success over the past two years. The likes of Abdullah Shafiq and Sahibzada Farhan are still finding their feet, leaving a reshaped batting order looking towards Fakhar for guidance and runs in PSL 9.

With the departure of these vital cogs, Fakhar Zaman’s role as the senior professional has never been more critical. His experience and ability to dominate the game from the get-go are pivotal for the Qalandars as they navigate through this transitional phase. The spotlight is firmly on Fakhar, and his response to this challenge could very well dictate the Qalandars’ fate in the tournament.

The Rashid Khan Void: Qalandars Struggle in Middle Overs

In the realm of middle overs bowling, the Qalandars once reigned supreme, largely thanks to the brilliance of Rashid Khan. Last year, they not only led the pack in wickets taken during this crucial phase but also boasted the best economy rate, with a remarkable tally of 47 wickets and an economy of just 7.28. This season, however, tells a different story. The Qalandars have found themselves on the back foot, conceding the highest number of runs in the middle overs among all PSL teams, with a staggering 267 runs at an economy rate of 9.89.

The crux of their struggle lies in the void left by Rashid Khan, whose absence from PSL 9 has been keenly felt. Despite roping in South African all-rounder George Linde, and pairing him with Sikandar Raza and Jahandad Khan against the Sultans, the trio has yet to hit their stride, leaving the Qalandars in a precarious position. Their quest for a potent middle-overs force continues, highlighting the irreplaceable impact of Rashid Khan and the challenges they face without him.

Rebuilding the Fortress: Qalandars’ Strategy for Death Overs

Last year, the Qalandars’ prowess in the death overs was a key factor in their success, leading the pack with an unmatched economy rate and the highest number of wickets taken during this critical phase of the game. They achieved an impressive economy of 9.80 in PSL 8, setting a benchmark for excellence and securing 38 wickets, the most by any PSL team in the death overs.

However, PSL 9 tells a tale of struggle in the final overs. After the first three games, they find themselves at the lower end of the performance spectrum, with an escalated economy rate of 12.35 and a mere tally of 3 wickets. Despite this early setback, there’s a silver lining. It’s only the beginning of the tournament, and the Qalandars are poised to recalibrate their strategy. With a formidable lineup that includes the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan—cricketers renowned for their death over expertise—the team has all the necessary ingredients to turn their fortunes around and reclaim their dominance in the death overs.

Important Note: All the statistics shared above about PSL 9 are based on the first 7 matches of PSL 9 before the game between United and Gladiators took place. For an insight into the Lahore Qalandars’ journey and their key to success in PSL 9, click here. Also, for all teams PSL 9 squad, complete PSL 2024 schedule and key challenges of all teams in PSL 9, visit here.