Lahore Qalandars' Qatar-based owner Fawad Rana (left) takes a selfie along with fans during a PSL match
Lahore Qalandars, captained by New Zealand great Brendon McCullum, will continue to rely on a bunch of talented home-grown players to steal the show in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), team owner Fawad Rana said in an interview.
Last year, Lahore Qalandars tanked at the inaugural edition when they finished last among five franchises in a tournament that was staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Islamabad United, captained by Misbah Ul Haq, won the event beating Quetta Gladiators in the final. Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi were the other two sides in the tournament.
In the build up to on-going second edition, Lahore Qalandars roped in cricket hero McCullum to replace Azhar Ali as skipper and signed up players like big-hitting Fakhar Zaman and tall fast bowler Mohammed Irfan Jr.
In the last four games, Zaman has smashed 33, 56 and 47 whereas Irfan has impressed with yorkers at the death.
"We have an exciting bunch of young players who will deliver for us. We will win. We have the bench-strength to get the desired results," Rana - following the team's fortunes in the UAE - told The Peninsula in an interview.
"We have included four fringe players in the squad of 15. We are so confident about our play. I feel these new players will be difference between what we did last year or and what we will do this year, between us and the other franchises," Rana said confidently.
Qalandars also have the services of experienced hands in Grant Elliott, Jason Roy, Sunil Narine, Umar Akmal, Mohammed Rizwan and Yasir Shah.
"There are no two opinions on this matter. There is not an iota of doubt in my mind that we won't win (the title). We are not even thinking of the play-offs. We will win the final - in Lahore," he said.
"I have seen how the seniors and juniors have gelled together. I also got to see the chemistry between the backroom staff and the players. I have seen their preparation in the lead up to the second edition of the PSL. The passion in their eyes is seen to be believed," Rana said.
Former Pakistan paceman and ex-coach of the UAE side Aaqib Javed along with McCullum are ringing the changes in the Qalandars camp.
"Last year, we were new to this franchise-based sports. We had limited number of players with no back-up. Now we have a back-up player for each slot, each position in the team," Rana said.
"Brendon, Aaqib Javed and Paddy Upton are leading the show. These are the three people who decide who plays a particular game. I have no say," Rana said.
"It will be hugely interesting this time around. We have structured plans for every phase of the game - like who will do what in the first 5 overs, followed by the next 5 overs and so on," Rana said without disclosing further details.
Ali, who has not played a game for Qalandars in the second edition, had to step down as skipper of Qalandars last year. Rana, however, felt he was harshly dealt by the cricket fraternity in Pakistan.
"I feel you shouldn't go bash up somebody's hard-earned reputation. We know Azhar Ali couldn't get going in the shorter format but that doesn't mean he's a bad player. It took him years to get to where is at the moment. You shouldn't discredit somebody when they are in bad form," Rana said.
"We never sacked him as skipper. Azhar was part of the decision that got us Brendon McCullum. He knew he had big. We knew we needed somebody who could transform a talent bunch of players into world-class players. We saw Brendon McCullum," said the Lahore Qalandars boss.
