Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana has finally addressed the long-debated question about Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy and whether former Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan played any role in the young pacer’s appointment. In a recent interview with a local sports outlet, Atif made it clear that Shaheen’s rise to leadership in 2021 was purely an internal decision taken by the Qalandars’ management.
A Bold Choice Backed Internally
Shaheen was just 21 when he was appointed captain of Lahore Qalandars in 2021. The decision came as a surprise to many, given his youth and the pressure that comes with leading a struggling team. However, Atif Rana revealed that it was Sameen Rana, the team’s COO, who played a pivotal role in pushing for Shaheen to lead the side.
“Shaheen was made captain by Sameen,” Atif stated. “Our team think tank took that decision collectively, and Sameen played a key role in it.”
Imran Khan’s Role: Post-Decision Praise
However, the support Shaheen received from Imran Khan afterward left a lasting impression.
“We met Imran Khan after finalizing Shaheen’s captaincy,” Atif explained. “He praised our choice and told Shaheen, ‘If you keep playing like this, you’ll rule world cricket for the next 8 to 10 years.’”
This endorsement, although not influential in the decision-making process, boosted morale within the franchise and reinforced their confidence in their new skipper.
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Imran’s Take on Leadership
Sharing insights from the 1992 World Cup-winning captain, Atif recalled an interesting belief held by Imran Khan. “He said he doesn’t see batsmen as natural captains,” Atif shared. “According to Imran, a true captain is a bowler.”
This philosophy resonated strongly with the Qalandars, especially as they had placed their faith in one of Pakistan’s most promising fast bowlers.
A Turning Point for the Franchise
Before Shaheen’s leadership, Lahore Qalandars had struggled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), finishing at the bottom in five of the first six seasons between 2016 and 2021. The franchise was desperate for a change in direction.
Shaheen Afridi turned out to be the game-changer. Under his captaincy, the Qalandars clinched their maiden PSL title in 2022. They made history by defending their title successfully in 2023, becoming the first franchise to win back-to-back PSL championships.
From Controversy to Glory
The speculation around Imran Khan’s involvement in Shaheen’s appointment had persisted for years. But Atif Rana’s clarification finally ends the debate.
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