PSL 9: Does Lahore Qalandars have a chance to make for playoffs? With the Lahore calendar on the verge of exiting the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the defending champions are in a precarious position after facing defeat in six matches.
Now languishing at the bottom of the points table, the two-time champions are gearing up to take on Babar Azam’s formidable Peshawar Zalmi side on March 2 at the Pindi Cricket Ground.
Lahore calendar needs a effort to keep their playoff hopes alive. Winning all four of their remaining matches is essential, giving them the chance to collect eight points. But this method of qualification is fraught with hurdles, as it also depends on good results in other competitions across the league.
Traditionally, a minimum of ten points is required in the playoffs, a goal that seems unattainable at the moment given the current state of Lahore Qalandar.
There is a precedent in the annals of PSL history where Islamabad United secured their place in the playoffs by clinging to the fourth position with eight points in the season of 2022. This is a ray of hope for Lahore, though slowly.
Despite the daunting odds ahead, the Qalandars of Lahore refuse to give up hope. Their fate hangs in the balance depending on the performance of Karachi Kings, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, who are yet to complete six games and if these teams stumble, opportunities will arise for Lahore to cash in on it. But the onus is on Lahore’s calendar to win the upcoming tournament, as failure to do so in the seventh outing will put a curtain on their PSL campaign.
