Lahore Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, who gave the finishing touch by smashing two consecutive sixes on the last two deliveries of the innings, expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance despite minor setbacks against debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen in the opening match of the HBL PSL 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, the Qalandars skipper highlighted the team’s growing cohesion and valuable match practice in the lead-up to the tournament. “We enjoyed it. We’ve been together for the last week and have had good game time,” said Shaheen Afridi.
The skipper lauded the explosive start provided by Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Naeem, whose aggressive approach in the powerplay laid a solid foundation for the innings. “Fakhar and Naeem were excellent in the powerplay with the bat. We struggled a bit in the middle overs, but this is just the start of the tournament, and we have plenty of firepower,” he added.
Reflecting on the bowling unit, Shaheen emphasised the value of experience and combinations, noting his reunion with Mustafizur Rahman and the consistent performances of Haris Rauf. “Mustafizur and I started at the same time for the Qalandars, and it’s great to be back together. Haris Rauf has been good for us. We’ve made changes to the playing XI at times, and it has worked well,” he remarked.
The captain also spoke about his approach with the bat, underlining his intent to shift momentum in crucial moments. “When I’m batting, I try to build momentum for the team. Our aim was to take wickets and build pressure,” Shaheen Afridi concluded.
