Former cricketer Ali Azhar has criticized skipper Shaheen Afridi’s leadership and voiced disappointment with the team’s bowling performance, notably in their latest match against Multan Sultans.
During a forthright talk on a local sports channel, Azhar didn’t mince his words as he identified various issues affecting the Lahore Qalandars, blaming their difficulties on the absence of star leg-spinner Rashid Khan and what he saw as tactical flaws under Afridi’s management.
“I believe Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy and Lahore’s bowling have been revealed. Rashid Khan’s withdrawal has left a perceptible gap in Lahore, depriving the bowling unit of the reassurance he formerly supplied during vital middle overs,” Azhar said, echoing feelings echoed by many cricket fans.
Azhar also mentioned a lack of synergy between the bowlers and the captain, describing instances where strategic decisions were disjointed, such as bowling leg-side to hitters with fine leg up and the third man within the circle when bowling off-stump.
“When new hitter Iftikhar came out to bat, they continued to use leg-side deliveries despite having a good leg up. In contrast, when they targeted off-stump, the third man was stationed within the circle. “This obvious lack of coordination suggests a disconnect between the bowler and the captain,” Azhar explained, highlighting tactical failures throughout critical moments of the game.
Furthermore, Azhar expressed unhappiness with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf’s uneven bowling performances, implying that Lahore Qalandars may face additional hurdles as the competition goes.
