ISLAMABAD: Shaheen Shah Afridi, the celebrated two-time PSL-winning captain, is poised to etch his name in history as the most successful skipper this season if he secures a third title.

In an exclusive interview with an international media platform, Afridi reflected on his unexpected journey to captaincy, stating, “I have not captained at any age level, really, maybe once at Under-19 level. I never even had an interest in captaincy. But then in 2021, I was sitting in the PM office with Sameen bhai (Lahore Qalandars owner) and Aqib Javed, and Imran Khan (then Pakistan Prime Minister) suggested that I be appointed captain. Obviously, you can never say no to Imran bhai. After that I became captain of Lahore. I was vice-captain, but when Imran bhai said I should be captain, that’s when the change happened.”

Under Afridi’s leadership, Lahore Qalandars experienced a remarkable turnaround, clinching consecutive PSL titles in 2022 and 2023, marking a significant achievement for the team.

Afridi attributed much of his success to the guidance and support of Imran Khan, acknowledging, “When we won the title in 2022, I went to meet Imran bhai and told him ‘at least we’ve now won one title!’ And I thanked him at the time for showing faith in me. That’s when my captaincy started, until then I had no interest.”

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Reflecting on Khan’s influence on his leadership style, Afridi shared, “Imran said most great fast bowlers have been captains because fast bowlers have the authority to set fields and they understand other fast bowlers, concerning what they need and what they’re going through. Those few nuggets of wisdom from him were very valuable to me, and I’d like to give him full credit for it.”

Looking ahead, Afridi remains optimistic about securing a third PSL title, stating, “We’ve won twice, so winning a third – why not?”

With Afridi’s determination and Khan’s mentorship, Lahore Qalandars are poised to make a formidable challenge for the PSL title this season, showcasing the fusion of talent and leadership that defines the spirit of cricket in Pakistan.