Lahore Qalandars are the current defending champions. Credits -x.com/iamAhmadhaseeb
The Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars will enter the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026) not only as the reigning champions but also as the favourite for yet another triumph.
With all bases covered, the three-time champions have one of the most sorted around outfits, with a perfect blend of rawness of youth and big-match temperament of the the senior statesmen. However, the Qalandars have face a problem of plenty.
Although Lahore have retained their core that helped them win the title last season, a bunch of new players have joined the Qalandars to strengthen their force in the PSL 2026.
Ahead of the first game of the PSL 2026, let us how at the Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI vs Hyderabad Kingsmen.
Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI vs Hyderabad Kingsmen - PSL 2026
Openers and top order: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, and Abdullah Shafique were the top three for Lahore last season, and they will select themselves based on their form in PSL 2025. Zaman (439 runs) and Shafique (390) were among the top four highest run-scorers last year. Meanwhile, Mohammad Naeem was also among the top 10 run-getters, with 314 runs at a strike rate of 163.
Fakhar may have been coming in from an injury, but he is someone who known how to stamp his authority in big tournaments like PSL. Meanwhile, Shafique has been in the form of his life of late. There can be some concerns over Mohammad Naeem's recent form.
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Middle order and all-rounders: Parvez Hossain Emon, Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Daniel Sams
In the absence of the South African Rubin Hermann, Parvez Hossain Emon will have to bat out of his desired position. The Bangladesh keeper-batter will be slotted to keep the wickets and bat in the middle order in Lahore Qalandars Predicted Playing XI vs Hyderabad Kingsmen.
Emon will be followed by the veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza. The Lahore Qalandars loyalist will bring balance to the line-up with his quality off-spin bowling and attacking batting in the middle order. Asif Ali had a poor run in PSL 2025, but the finisher has it in him to turn the game upside down on his given day.
Came in as a replacement for Dasun Shanaka- who picked IPL over PSL, Daniel Sams won't be called a like-for-like replacement for the Sri Lankan. However, Sams is a far superior bowler than Shanaka, and he can be used like they used David Wiese in the previous seasons.
Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mustafizur Rahman, Usama Mir
The captain, Shaheen Afridi, who is their premier bowler, selects himself. The left-arm quick is someone who bags wickets with the new ball upfront, at least in the PSL. Afridi will be paired beautifully by another left-arm paceman, Mustafizur Rahman. Fizz, if called well, can be brilliant in all phases of the innings.
Haris Rauf will be in Lahore Qalandars' likely playing XI vs Hyderabad Kingsmen, but the speedster has been out of favour in the recent past. He will be used as an aggressor in the middle phase for Lahore.
Alongside Sikandar Raza, Usama Mir will be the spinner for the Qalandars. The leggie has moved from Multan for PSL 2026, and he will complete their bowling line-up.
Lahore Qalandars' likely playing XI vs Hyderabad Kingsmen - PSL 2026
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Parvez Hossain Emon (wk), Sikandar Raza, Asif Ali, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Mustafizur Rahman, Usama Mir.
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