PSL 2020: Aqib Javed reveals why Lahore Qalandars are not performing

Lahore Qalandars head coach Aaqib Javed has revealed the reason behind the team’s abysmal performance in the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“Our batsmen failed to make any runs which is why we lost our last three games,” Javed told Geo.tv

Qalandars who sit at the bottom of PSL 2020 points table have failed to mark in the tournament losing all three games.

Head coach Javed has once again come under fire for team's poor performance.

Read more: Peshawar Zalmi defeat Lahore Qalandars by 16 runs

“We can make decisions while sitting outside about which player to play but ultimately it is the players inside who have to make the final call while looking at the scorecard,” he said.

He added, “This is not a U-15 team which needs to be sent a script to follow but a professional team made up of players who have been playing the sport for the last 10 to 15 years. We cannot go into the field with them or dictate them.”

Responding to the criticism, Javed said people have been talking about the decisions being taken. “These decisions are not made alone. When somebody plays well we are hailed for the decisions made and when we lose we are questioned about our decisions.”

Read more: Lahore Qalandars lose Haris Rauf to foot injury

On the subject about the criticism faced by captain Sohail Akhtar, Javed said the player was surrounded by seasoned players who failed to impress with the bat.

“We have eight batsmen in the team with having played close to 50 matches while the rest have played more than 200 matches and still failing to score and defend,” Javed said. “When the team loses the game, the captain is blamed but the real reason is that the batsmen have failed to make runs.”

He also blamed the bowlers for failing to capitalise on crucial moments and taking important wickets.

Also read: Lahore Qalandars fined for slow over-rate

“On the field, Akhtar divides up the overs but it’s not like he’s doing that alone. He has Mohammad Hafeez, Chris Lynn and David Weise with him on the field who are former captains and help him who to pick,” he said.

“When the openers played well, the middle order failed to build the momentum. When we try to take the scorecard further, then the batsmen start failing. The top-order needs to score in every match. If anyone in the top order makes around 70 or 80, the team can easily make more than 180. The team needs to understand that they have a shared responsibility," Javed added.