‘Fawad Rana might sell Lahore Qalandars’

Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed has said that Lahore Qalandars’ owner Fawad Rana might sell his franchise after another disappointing performance in the ongoing Habib Bank Limted (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Islamabad United defeated Lahore Qalandars by 71 runs on Wednesday, which is the biggest victory margin, in terms of runs, in the history of HBL PSL. The previous biggest winning margin was 67 runs achieved by Quetta Gladiators against Karachi Kings in 2018.

“If things don’t change, Rana Fawad might sell his franchise to someone else. The franchise spends a lot of money every year and conducts nation-wide talent hunt trials but the team disappoints on the field every season,” said Ahmed while speaking in a YouTube video. “What’s the point of trials if the team does not perform?”

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He also criticised Lahore’s decision to include opener Salman Butt in the lineup in place of out-of-form left-hander Fakhar Zaman.

“Salman Butt is not a T20 specialist and it made no sense to include him in the playing XI at the expense of Fakhar Zaman,” he said. “They were doing pretty well in the powerplay overs, even if Zaman was not performing, so it was wrong to change the opener.”   

Lahore Qalandars are currently at the bottom of the HBL PSL 2020 points table with just one win after five games.