Qalandars expand global footprint with acquisition of Zimbabwe T10 franchise

The champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season seven and eight, Lahore Qalandars, have decided to join another cricket league. 

The two-time champions have acquired a franchise in the upcoming Zim Afro T10, making Durban Qalandars their team for the league's inaugural edition. 

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The management of Qalandars is excited about this new venture and hopes to replicate its success in Zimbabwe's first-ever league.

Zim Afro T10 is a league associated with the Abu Dhabi T10 League and is supported by T Ten Global Sports. The league's first edition will take place from July 20 to 29, with the players' draft taking place on July 2.

In addition to their participation in Zim Afro T10, Lahore Qalandars previously partnered with Toronto Nationals for the Global T20 (GT20) in Canada. The current PSL champions will lend their coaching staff, led by Aaqib Javed, to the Canadian franchise. Alongside Aaqib, the full-time bowling coach Waqas Ahmed, fielding coach Shahzad Butt, and performance analyst Nabeel Edger Pace will also be part of the Toronto Nationals.

"We are thrilled to be a part of the GT20 in Canada and assisting Toronto Nationals with setting up the roster and providing them our full coaching staff in the upcoming season," Lahore Qalandars' Chief Operating Officer Sameen Rana said. "In our responsibility, we will help the franchise to achieve their winning ambitions in the league. The deal is a first of a kind, and it is initially for a season, and we will see how it goes."

"For us, it could also serve as a talent scouting on some unseen players from associates countries. Who knows, we could find another Tim David out of another associate country who outshines and become a part of a bigger cricket ecosystem," he added.

The GT20, returning after a four-year hiatus, will commence on July 20, with the final match scheduled for August 6.