Lahore Qalandars, the back-to-back champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2022 and 2023, have expanded their reach in franchise cricket by acquiring a team in the upcoming Zim Afro T10 league.
The newly-formed Durban Qalandars will be participating in the inaugural edition of the league. The management of Qalandars is filled with excitement about this new venture and aims to replicate their PSL success in Zimbabwe’s first-ever league.
Zim Afro T10 is affiliated with the Abu Dhabi T10 league and enjoys the support of T Ten Global Sports. The tournament’s first edition is scheduled to be held from July 20 to 29, with the players’ draft taking place on July 2.
In a previous development, Qalandars joined forces with the Toronto Nationals for the Global T20 (GT20) in Canada. The reigning PSL champions will be outsourcing their coaching staff, led by Aaqib Javed.
Aaqib will be joined by full-time bowling coach Waqas Ahmed, fielding coach Shahzad Butt, and performance analyst Nabeel Edger Pace, who will all be part of the Canadian franchise.
“We are extremely excited to be a part of the GT20 in Canada and provide our full coaching staff to assist the Toronto Nationals in setting up their roster for the upcoming season,” said Sameen Rana, Lahore Qalandars’ Chief Operating Officer.
“In our role, we will help the franchise in achieving their winning ambitions in the league. This unique deal is initially for a season, and we will evaluate its progress going forward,” Rana added.
He further expressed, “This opportunity also allows us to scout for talented players from associate countries. Perhaps we might discover another Tim David from one of these associate countries, who can shine and become a part of the larger cricket ecosystem.”
By expanding their presence in different leagues, Lahore Qalandars are not only seeking to extend their winning streak but also actively exploring new talent and contributing to the growth of cricket beyond traditional cricket-playing nations.