Former cricketer Ali Azhar has singled out captain Shaheen Afridi's leadership and expressed dismay over the team's bowling display, particularly in their recent encounter against Multan Sultans.
During a candid discussion on a local sports channel, Azhar didn't mince his words as he pinpointed several concerns plaguing Lahore Qalandars, attributing their woes to the absence of star leg-spinner Rashid Khan and what he perceived as tactical deficiencies under Afridi's captaincy.
"I think Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy and Lahore’s bowling have been laid bare. The void left by Rashid Khan's absence is palpable, depriving Lahore of the reassurance he once provided to the bowling unit during crucial middle overs," Azhar remarked, echoing sentiments shared by many cricket enthusiasts.
Azhar further highlighted a lack of synergy between the bowlers and the captain, citing instances where strategic decisions appeared disjointed, such as bowling leg-side to batters with fine leg up and third man inside the circle when bowling off-stump.
"When new batter Iftikhar came out to bat, they persisted with leg-side deliveries despite having fine leg up. Conversely, when they targeted off-stump, the third man was stationed within the circle. This evident lack of coordination suggests a disconnect between the bowler and the captain," Azhar elaborated, drawing attention to tactical lapses during crucial phases of the game.
Moreover, Azhar expressed disappointment in the inconsistent bowling performances of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, suggesting that Lahore Qalandars could encounter further challenges as the tournament progresses.
"Shaheen and Haris have failed to hit their stride with the ball. It's becoming increasingly apparent that Lahore may struggle with their bowling resources as the tournament unfolds," Azhar concluded, painting a sobering picture for Lahore Qalandars and their supporters.
