Lahore Qalandars’ owner Fawad Rana on Wednesday lamented his team’s ouster from the inaugural edition of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), terming the absence of bowlers Yasir Shah and Mustafizur Rehman as ‘decisive’.
Rana of Qatar Oils, which owns the Lahore franchise, said the loss of Pakistan leg-spinner Shah (doping ban) and Bangladesh paceman Rehman (injury) before the start of the PSL had disrupted the team’s plans significantly.
Shah was slapped with a three-month ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on February 7 after the leggie tested positive for a banned substance in December last year, while Mustafizur backed out due to fitness issues.
“It’s sad that we haven’t been able to qualify for the playoffs,” said Rana.
“I wish the team could have delivered more,” he added.
Pakistan rookie Ehsan Adil led the bowling attack, which comprised the likes of Kevon Cooper, Zohaib Khan and Zia-ul-Haq.
“We tried to get Brett Lee in as a replacement, but that did not work out too,” said Rana.
The Australian fast bowler was in the Emirates recently as he was representing the Virgo Super Kings at the Masters Champions League (MCL) which ended on February 13.
Lahore put up decent batting performances in the PSL with Umar Akmal scoring the most runs for them. He is also the league’s highest run-getter so far with 335 runs in seven matches.
The Qalandars ended their PSL campaign after they were beaten by Islamabad United in the final match of the league stage on Wednesday.
Lahore and Karachi Kings were in tight race for the fourth place but the latter had the edge with their only two wins coming against the Qalandars allowing them to sneak through on head-to-head advantage.
The PSL playoffs kick off on Friday with toppers Peshawar Zalmi taking on second placed Quetta Gladiators in the semi-final.