Atif Aslam, Asrar grace glamorous ceremony for Qalandars Rising Stars

KARACHI: PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars gave a befitting send-off to the Rising Stars squad as the team left for Australia to play a quadrangular tournament in Sydney.

A colourful ceremony was organised at Lahore’s Al Hamra Complex to make it a memorable occasion for the young cricketers who would now represent Lahore Qalandars against Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunders and Hobart Hurricanes.

Singers Atif Aslam and Asrar entertained supporters of Lahore Qalandars who were gathered to cheer for the young Cricketers.

The crowd cheered “Qalandar, Qalandar” as members of the squad were introduced at the ramp.

Rana Fawad, chairman of Lahore Qalandars, said that this tour can be a career turning point for these young cricketers.

“This is a lifetime opportunity for the players, to go to Australia and play against some of the top teams and make a mark,” he said.

The 16-member Lahore Qalandars Rising Stars squad was picked after open trials in eight cities and a cricket tournament in Muzaffarabad and Lahore.

“We provided everything to these players, hope they will raise as future stars,” hoped Rana Atif, CEO of Lahore Qalandars.

The franchise arranged various personality development sessions ahead of the team’s training camp for the Australia tour.

Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar was also formally launched by Lahore Qalandars as team’s mentor who promised to transform young and energetic bowlers into aggressive pace sensations.

“I am now part of Qalandars and I will do my best to make fast bowlers of Lahore Qalandars a proper bowling force,” he said at the event.

“Fast bowlers should be aggressive and I want these young fast bowlers who were spotted by LQ in the trials to show aggression while going against opponents,” he added.

Four top performers of the tour will get the opportunity to become part of Lahore Qalandars PSL squad.