“Fans are Our Power”, Shaheen Afridi Addresses the Empty Stadiums of PSL 11

In an exclusive conversation with Express Digital on March 27, 2026, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi shared his thoughts on the unique atmosphere of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League. While acknowledging the sadness of playing behind closed doors, he emphasized that the cricketing fraternity stands united with the government’s austerity measures during the ongoing regional crisis.

On the Absence of Fans

Shaheen expressed that while the energy of the “Lahore Crowd” is irreplaceable, safety and national policy come first:

• Government Support: “We will all support the government’s decision together. Their [the fans’] presence motivates us, but this time we must play for the millions watching on TV.”
• The “TV Experience”: He promised that the Qalandars would play a brand of “aggressive and entertaining cricket” to ensure fans stay engaged from their homes in Faisalabad, Islamabad, and beyond.

The Core of the Qalandars: Fakhar, Haris, and Raza

Shaheen highlighted the pillars of his squad as they aim to defend their title:

• Fakhar Zaman (The Backbone): Celebrating his 10th year with the franchise, Shaheen called Fakhar the “heart” of the team. He also cleared the air regarding Fakhar’s fitness, noting that his recent absence from ODIs was purely a medical rest to manage his workload, not a serious injury.
• Sikandar Raza (The Professional): Shaheen praised Raza as the most committed cricketer he has ever seen. “He played a Test in Zimbabwe and was in our final a day later last year. His work ethic with the youngsters in our Ramadan camp is exemplary.”
• Haris Rauf (The Fighter): Despite the pressure of the high-scoring opening match, Shaheen backed Rauf as his primary “wicket-taking fighter” whose energy in the field is essential for the team’s morale.

Nurturing New Talent

A key focus for the Qalandars this season is the integration of young domestic players:

• The Learning Curve: Shaheen noted that the primary goal is to let youngsters “rub shoulders” with foreign stars so they are prepared for international leagues and the national side.
• Balanced Competition: He acknowledged that the eight-team format (including the new Hyderabad and Rawalpindi franchises) has made the league more competitive, with “strong sides on paper” across the board.

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