PSL 2021: Lahore Qalandars release Fakhar Zaman ahead of the next edition

Fakhar Zaman will no longer be a part of the Lahore Qalandars‘ side as he has been released by the franchise after the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The 30-year-old will now go back to the draft pool for the next edition. Zaman was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2020 edition of the PSL, aggregating 325 runs at the top of the order at an average of 27.08.

The Pakistan opener, Zaman was also striking at around 130(128.96) in the 2020 edition of the league and played a pivotal role in the Lahore side finishing third in the points table. Zaman thanked the Lahore franchise for ‘4 memorable seasons’ and acknowledged that the Lahore outfit played a ‘huge role’ by providing him with a lot of opportunities.

“Thank you, Lahore Qalandars, for the last 4 memorable seasons. You have played a huge role in my career by providing me an opportunity to showcase my skills. Looking forward to a new challenge in the upcoming season,” Fakhar Zaman tweeted.

Thank you @lahoreqalandars for the last 4 memorable seasons. You’ve played a huge role in my career by providing me an opportunity to showcase my skills.
Looking forward to a new challenge in the upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/sDC7CnanHD

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) December 30, 2020

His post received a response from the official Twitter account of the Pakistan Super League. The official handle of the League also asked the fans as to which team would Zaman turn out in the upcoming PSL edition. “Star batsman Fakhar Zaman will be moving on to another team this season. Which team do you think can pick Zaman at the #HBLPSL draft?”

JUST IN: Star batsman Fakhar Zaman will be moving on to another team this season.

Which team do you think can pick @FakharZamanLive at the #HBLPSL Draft? https://t.co/YGhGM0iKZJ

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 30, 2020

In fact, Zaman is the fourth-highest run-scorer in the history of the Pakistan Super League(PSL). The left-hander has aggregated 1064 runs in the 4 seasons that he has played thus far and averages 26.60. He has also scored his runs at the top of the order at a strike rate of 137.29, as well. Apart from that, Zaman has also plundered 7 fifties in the league.

No response from the Lahore Qalandars

With Zaman in such good form, there will be considerable demand for the batsman when he enters the draft pool for the sixth edition of the PSL. Interestingly though, there was no reaction from the Lahore Qalandars franchise. The Qalandars side has a good talent pool in their arsenal with the likes of Mohammad Hafeez, Chris Lynn, Samit Patel, Tamim Iqbal, and Shaheen Shah Afridi turning out for them.

However, from now on, they will definitely miss the services of their opener Fakhar Zaman, who was in excellent form in the 2020 edition of the PSL. Somebody’s loss will be somebody else’s gain, and it will be interesting to see which side pouches Zaman for the 2021 edition of the PSL.