For much of their early journey in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Lahore Qalandars were considered little more than backbenchers—always present, rarely threatening. From 2016 to 2020, the franchise was known more for its inconsistency and underwhelming finishes than any serious title ambitions. But everything changed in 2021 when a young, fiery left-arm pacer stepped up to take the reins of a team searching for identity and success. That young man was Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Though Lahore didn’t lift the trophy in his debut year as captain in 2021, signs of transformation were already in motion. The following season, in 2022, Afridi led Lahore to their maiden PSL title. Not only did he captain with composure beyond his years, but he also led with the ball, finishing as the tournament’s top wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 13 matches.
Far from a one-season wonder, Shaheen replicated that success the very next year. In the 2023 edition, Lahore once again emerged as champions—an extraordinary feat made even more memorable by Afridi’s individual brilliance. In the final, he played a game-changing innings with the bat and followed it up with a stellar bowling performance. He ended the season with 19 wickets in 12 matches, firmly establishing himself as a captain who delivers in high-pressure moments.
While the 2024 season saw a slight dip in form for both Afridi and the team, Lahore rebounded in spectacular fashion in 2025. Afridi once again captained with sharp tactical acumen and intensity. Under his leadership, the Qalandars clinched their third PSL title in just four seasons—an incredible turnaround for a franchise that had previously never even reached a final in its first five years.
Afridi wasn’t just leading from the dressing room. He was again at the top of the bowling charts, bagging 19 wickets in 13 matches, sharing the honour of top wicket-taker. His leadership style has blended aggression with calm authority, fostering a dressing room culture of belief and resilience.
From being a struggling side with no title to their name, Lahore Qalandars now boast three PSL trophies—in 2022, 2023, and 2025—all under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi. That’s three championships in just four seasons, a transformation that has not only changed the narrative of a team but also redefined what captaincy means in the PSL.
Shaheen’s legacy is now firmly etched in Qalandars folklore. In just four years, he has taken Lahore from the bottom of the table to the top of the league. From backbenchers to frontrunners, Lahore Qalandars are now class toppers in every sense—and at the heart of it all stands Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain who changed everything.