PSL 9: Azhar Ali Critiques Lahore Qalandars’ Struggles, Points to Shaheen Afridi’s ‘Exposed’ Captaincy
Azhar Ali Analyzes Lahore Qalandars’ Challenges in PSL 9
Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has voiced concerns over Lahore Qalandars’ performance in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, attributing their struggles to the absence of leg-spinner Rashid Khan and what he perceives as poor captaincy from Shaheen Afridi.
Rashid Khan’s Absence and Its Impact
Azhar Ali highlighted the absence of leg-spinner Rashid Khan as a significant factor affecting Lahore Qalandars’ bowling performance. He emphasized the comfort Rashid provided to the team’s other bowlers in the middle overs, indicating that his absence has created a void in the team’s strategy.
Critique of Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy
Azhar Ali expressed concerns about Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy, stating that it has been “exposed” during the PSL 9 matches. He pointed out instances of poor coordination between the bowler and the captain, citing examples from the recent match against Multan Sultans where strategies seemed disjointed.
Lack of Coordination in Bowling Strategies
Azhar Ali highlighted specific instances in the match against Multan Sultans, where he observed a lack of coordination in Lahore Qalandars’ bowling strategies. He mentioned situations where bowlers targeted the leg-side against Iftikhar Ahmed while fine leg was up, and off-stump deliveries with the third man up in the circle, indicating a lack of synchronization.
Assessment of Lahore Qalandars’ Bowling Unit
Azhar Ali expressed concerns about the bowling form of key players such as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, suggesting that their performance has not been up to the mark. He cautioned that Lahore Qalandars might face difficulties with limited resources if improvements are not made gradually.
Multan Sultans’ Victory Highlights Challenges
Multan Sultans secured a five-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in the seventh match of PSL 9, with Iftikhar Ahmed playing a crucial role in the successful chase. Mohammad Rizwan’s anchoring innings of 82 runs set the tone for Multan Sultans’ triumph.
Scores in Brief and Player of the Match
Lahore Qalandars posted 166-5, with Rassie van der Dussen scoring 54 and Fakhar Zaman contributing 41. Multan Sultans chased down the target, reaching 170-5 in 19 overs. Mohammad Rizwan was awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding innings.
Azhar Ali’s analysis provides insights into Lahore Qalandars’ challenges, shedding light on areas that need improvement as they navigate through the competitive PSL 9 season.
Read More: https://flare.pk/2024/02/psl-9-multan-sultans-vs-lahore-qalandars-match-7/
