Lahore Qalandars CEO Clarifies Imran Khan’s Role in Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy

By Kashvi

Posted: April 17, 2025
Last updated: April 18, 2025

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Atif Rana, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars, has addressed the ongoing speculation regarding the appointment of Shaheen Shah Afridi as the team’s captain. Contrary to the widespread rumors, Atif Rana clarified that former Pakistan Prime Minister and celebrated cricket player Imran Khan had no involvement in the decision to make Shaheen Afridi the captain.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as the captain of Lahore Qalandars in 2021 at the young age of 21. This decision sparked significant discussions, especially given Afridi’s age and the team’s previous performance history. In fact, before Shaheen’s appointment, Lahore Qalandars had struggled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), finishing at the bottom in five out of the six seasons from 2016 to 2021.

Sameen Rana, an integral part of the Lahore Qalandars management, along with the team’s think tank, played a critical role in promoting Afridi to the captaincy. These strategic decisions were aimed at turning the fortunes of the team around. The appointment indeed paid off as Afridi led the team to their first PSL title in 2022 and successfully defended it in 2023, marking a historic achievement as the first team to win back-to-back PSL titles.

Atif Rana highlighted that the meeting with Imran Khan transpired only after Shaheen had been appointed the captain. During this meeting, Imran Khan praised the decision, emphasizing that if Shaheen continued to play well, he could dominate world cricket for the next 8 to 10 years. Khan’s positive remarks were not only a boost for Shaheen but also served as significant validation for the Qalandars team.

Additionally, Imran Khan expressed his belief in bowlers as true captains over batsmen. This viewpoint reinforced the decision and leadership direction that the Qalandars management had taken with Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy.

In conclusion, Atif Rana’s remarks clear any misunderstandings about Imran Khan’s role in the decision. It was, in fact, the strategic vision and decision-making within the Lahore Qalandars’ management that culminated in Afridi’s successful tenure as captain.