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LAHORE: Former bowler Aqib Javed has been named new head coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season, while opener Fakhar Zaman has been appointed vice captain of the team.
Aqib replaces Paddy Upton, who was the head coach for the first two seasons of PSL, in which Lahore Qalandars finished at bottom on both the occasions.
“It is an honour to be the head coach of this franchise,” Aqib told media after his appointment.
“I have learnt a lot from Paddy’s experience in previous editions and will try my best to help Lahore finish victorious in the third edition of PSL,” the former pacer added.
Aqib, who was member of Pakistan’s World Cup 1992 winning squad, will also remain the director of cricket operations of the franchise.
He was previously the assistant coach of Pakistan’s national team and also the head coach of UAE. Under his coaching UAE achieved the status of ODI and T20I team and also qualified for World Cup 2015.
Fakhar Zaman, meanwhile, has been promoted as vice captain of the team. He will be the deputy of Qalandars skipper Brendon McCullum.
“I am happy to be appointed as vice captain of Lahore Qalandars, working with Brendon will help me grow as a player and with this association, I will also try to tell Baz about our local players,” Fakhar said after his appointment.
“We have a very good combination this year and Insha’Allah we will finish at the top this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, former cricketers Kabir Khan and Atiq uz Zaman have also joined the Qalandar family as coaching staff.
Kabir, who has remained head coach of the UAE team and Pakistan’s national women team, has joined as assistant coach while Atiq uz Zaman will be performing as fielding coach for the franchise.
Lahore Qalandars’ chairman Fawad Rana said he is happy with the new appointments and looks forward to doing well in the third edition of PSL.
“I hope that the fans will continue to support us, these new appointments are another step towards making Lahore Qalandars a victorious unit,” Rana said.
“Insha’Allah, in 2018, Lahore Qalandars will emerge as winners and do the dama dam mast qalandar,” the chairman added.
The third edition of PSL will commence on February 22, with the opening encounter between the defending champions Peshawar Zalmi and new entrants Multan Sultans.