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LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars have successfully completed their squad for the upcoming season, navigating regulatory limits and aggressive bidding to retain their core match-winners.
Under tournament rules, franchises were allowed to retain only one player per category—Platinum, Diamond, Gold, and Silver/Emerging—forcing the Qalandars into tough choices. The franchise retained captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Platinum category but had to release Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman, who drew intense interest with 18 and 26 bids respectively.
Determined to preserve their championship nucleus, Lahore returned to the auction table and secured both players in competitive battles. Haris Rauf was acquired for 7.6 crore, while Fakhar Zaman went for 7.95 crore, underscoring the franchise’s focus on continuity and proven performance.
The Qalandars also bolstered their roster with a mix of emerging and established talent, including Usama Mir (3.5 crore), Ubaid Shah (2.7 crore), Mohammad Farooq (60 lacs), Dasun Shanaka (75 lacs), Parvez Hussain Emon (60 lacs), Asif Ali (60 lacs), Hussain Talat (77.5 lacs), Tayyab Tahir (60 lacs), and Gudakesh Motie (1.1 crore).
Earlier, the franchise had retained Abdullah Shafique (2.2 crore), Sikandar Raza (2.8 crore), and Mohammad Naeem (70 lacs), ensuring stability across batting, bowling, and all-round departments. The squad was further strengthened through the direct signing of Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for 6.44 crore.
The auction highlighted both strategy and conviction. By re-acquiring proven performers while adding depth and emerging talent, Lahore Qalandars signaled their intent to field a balanced, competitive, and resilient unit.
With their core restored and reinforcements in place, the Qalandars enter the season poised and united, ready to meet the challenges ahead.
