'It's been 12 years, but these teams have not won' - Aaqib Javed compares PSL's Lahore Qalandars with IPL teams RCB, DC

Started in the year 2016, Pakistan Super League has completed six editions in its history successfully and has eventually turned into one of the most popular short-format franchise-based leagues in the sport of cricket.

While the 20-over league is yet to emulate the kind of success the Indian Premier League has managed, PSL’s fandom has shot up significantly over the last couple of seasons and its growth path remains promising. Given that, many often draw parallels between PSL and IPL franchises, including former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed.

Drawing a parallel between PSL team Lahore Qalandars with IPL’s Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals, Javed asserted that Qalandars have some excellent players in their ranks, but are unable to perform the way they are expected to.

Notably, the Qalandars’ best performance in PSL has been their runners-up finish in 2020, while in the first four editions of the league, they finished at the bottom of the table. In the 2021 edition, the team finished second-last in the tally with five wins and as many losses.

Fans are justified in their reaction: Aaqib Javed

In an interaction with Cricket Pakistan, Javed stated that fans are justified in their reaction as they expect their team to perform.

“This team (Lahore Qalandars) is such that I can’t really say much. Fans are justified in their reaction. If you look at the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings are such big sides. Then there is Delhi… they even changed their name from Daredevils to Capitals but it’s been 12 years that none of the three teams have been able to win the IPL,” Javed said.

Further in the interaction, the former cricketer expressed surprise on the reports that suggest that Rana brothers, owners of the Lahore-based franchise, are planning to sell their team.

“Sometimes things get stuck you know. It just so happens that some teams just cannot click. I don’t understand that there is an investment worth million, there is so much commitment. How can someone just hand over the team saying, ‘we are tired, please handle the team’. This is a professional world and not a joke,” he said.