Lahore Qalandars have lost five out of five matches in this edition of the Pakistan Super League. They won three and lost five matches last year and won just two out of eight in the first edition. Needless to say, they finished dead last in the opening two editions of the PSL and might end up with the wooden spoon this time as well.
Unfortunately for the Qalandars, the knives are already out. Social media is littered with posts poking fun at their poor results. One disgruntled fan even put up the entire team up for sale on eBay this week, with a starting price of $1. The item description stated: “Looks like all the parts are there, but won’t run properly”.
“Only 3 years old, however it is out of warranty. Requires some love and attention to return to good working order. I have receipts for all of the parts,” the advertisement added.
While the ad was funny, it is no laughing matter for franchise owner Rana Fawad.
Been watching cricket for 22 years. Never seen a team making mockery of the game as much as Lahore Qalandars have in the three seasons of the PSL. #IUvLQ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 2, 2018
But the Qalandars are not alone. There are other T20 teams who have endured, or are enduring, similarly shocking results.
The St Lucia Zouks had a terrible start in the Caribbean Premier League, winning just four games out of 16 in the first two seasons finishing last and second last in the tournament in 2013 and 2014 respectively. They finished second last out of six teams in 2015.
The Delhi Daredevils, of late, are in similar territory in the Indian Premier League. They were the semi-finalists in the first two years – 2008 and 2009. Since 2013, the Daredevils lost their way completely finishing last, last, second last, third last and third last in the tournament.
Lahore Qalandars fan waiting for their team to win a single match pic.twitter.com/xNhYFNB6Qk
— z ⚡ (@thunderthugg) March 4, 2018
In the Big Bash League, Sydney Thunder were simply awful in all but one season – 2015-16 when they won the title. Their record apart from that in the BBL reads last, last, last, second last, last and third last.
There’s nothing to suggest things will improve for the Qalandars. They might very well do. But until that happens, Lahore will have to wallow in self pity.
