Lahore Qalandars rope in Mustafizur as direct signing for PSL 11

Lahore Qalandars have announced the signing of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a direct signing for the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Mustafizur, who previously represented the franchise in 2016 and 2018, will once again wear the Qalandars’ colours. The deal was finalised at PKR 6.44 crore (BDT 2.81 crore approximately).

The recent controversy surrounding the ICC T20 World Cup stemmed from Mustafizur being dropped by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on January 3 on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

That decision triggered a series of events that eventually led to Bangladesh being excluded from the marquee T20 event and Pakistan boycotting their group game against India on February 15 in support of Bangladesh.

“Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left,” said Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to our dressing room. His talent, experience, and dedication will be invaluable as we aim to defend our title and make a statement in PSL 11.”

Earlier, the Qalandars retained captain Shaheen Afridi, batter Abdullah Shafique, all-rounder Sikandar Raza, and youngster Mohammad Naeem, strengthening their core squad ahead of the auction.

With this signing, Lahore Qalandars are aiming to continue their strong legacy in the PSL as they look to defend their title and deliver another memorable season for their fans.