Pakistan Super League 8: Team Analysis - Lahore Qalandars

Shaheen Afridi will lead Lahore in PSL 8

The stage for the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League is already set to set fire. With all teams all set for the upcoming season, Lahore Qalandars have the edge over the rest as they will head into the tournament as the defending champions.

Lahore have emerged as a quality side in the recent editions of the PSL. One prime reason for that has been their bowling. A team that has Shaheen Afridis, Haris Raufs, Rashid Khans, and Zaman Khans will always rule in any T20 league.

In this article at OneCricket, we will be doing Qalandars' SWOT Analysis before the PSL 08 kickstarts.

Lahore Qalandars Squad

Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Haris Rauf, Rashid Khan, David Wiese, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, Dilbar Hussain, Mirza Tahir Baig, Ahmed Daniyal, Shawaiz Irfan, Jordan Cox, Jalat Khan.

(Source - OneCricket)

Strengths

Lahore's biggest strength, heading into the season, would be their bowling. A team comprising bowlers like theirs can tear away any batting attack, especially in Multan and Rawalpindi. Their advantage is that they will play 5 out of their 10 league matches in those two stadiums.

Another edge in their arsenal is truckloads of all-rounders in the kitty, giving them a balance to their Playing XI. Interestingly, they have the luxury of playing David Wiese, Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza together in their XI.

Weaknesses

In his short career, Harry Brook has scored around zillion runs in Pakistan; however, the young English prodigy has pulled himself out of the competition to manage his workload. His absence could haunt Lahore's batting, which looked solid in Brook's presence.

Opportunities

Brook may have just played just one season for the Qalandars, but he played a vital cog in their title-clinching season. Without the Englishman, the batting becomes topsy turfy, which allows batters such as Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Jordan Cox, and Hussain Talat to showcase their prowess.

Threats

One major threat is their bowling. They might have one of the most robust bowling units this season, although their top bowlers can overdo it at times.

The other threat for Lahore will be standing tall against the hopes of delivering as the reigning champions. No team in the PSL has won consecutive seasons, and Lahore will be fighting against that streak. 

Prediction: Though the team will enter the tournament as favourites to the final glory, the Shaheen Afridi-led side will have to pass countless hurdles if they want to bag two titles in a row.

Read More - Pakistan Super League 8: Team Analysis - Islamabad United