PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars rope in Aqib Javed as head coach for season 3

Former fast bowler Aqib Javed has been named new head coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season. Aqib will be replacing Paddy Upton, who was the head coach for the first two seasons of PSL. Upton, however, didn’t enjoy much success during his stint as the Qalandars finished at the bottom on both the occasions.

Aqib, 45, who was a member of Pakistan’s World Cup winning 1992 squad, will also remain the director of cricket operations for the franchise. He has previously served as the assistant coach of Pakistan’s national team and also the head coach of UAE. It was under his tutelage UAE achieved the status of ODI and T20I team and also qualified for the 2015 World Cup.

Speaking to geo.tv after his appointment, Aqib was quoted saying, “It is an honor to be the head coach of this franchise. I have learned a lot from Paddy’s experience in previous editions and will try my best to help Lahore finish victorious in the third edition of PSL.”

Fakhar Zaman promoted to vice-captain of the Qalandars

Top order batsman Fakhar Zaman, meanwhile, has been promoted to vice-captain of the team. He will be the deputy of Qalandars skipper Brendon McCullum.

In the interim, former cricketers Kabir Khan and Atiq uz Zaman have also joined the Qalandar setup as a coaching staff. Kabir, who has remained head coach of the UAE team and Pakistan’s national women team, will join as an assistant coach while Atiq uz Zaman will be performing the role of a fielding coach for the franchise.

Qalandars’ chairman Fawad Rana is extremely upbeat with the new appointments and looks forward to doing well in the third edition of PSL.

PSL 3 is slated to start from February 22, with the opening fixture set to be played between defending champions Peshawar Zalmi and new entrants Multan Sultans.