LAHORE: The management of Lahore Qalandars, Pakistan Super League’s most avidly followed cricket club, has recently announced that its team would be travelling to Australia to play a tri-angular series with Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers.
Talking exclusively with Daily Times, Lahore Qalandars Chairman Rana Fawad said the move has been made to further develop grassroots cricket in the country by providing youth a platform to further hone and showcase their skills.
The 15 chosen players for the Asutralian tour include Tabriaz, Saadullah, Rafeh, Ameer, Najid, Sikandar, Saif, Ghulaam, Usman, Yasir, Ehtisham, Ahmed, Irfan, Umar and Mudassar. Lahore Qalandars had signed a contract with renowned Australian Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Sydney Thunder in a bid to exchange academic facilities, staff, and emerging players.
Since the conclusion of the first edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lahore Qalandars has been rigorously trying to discover players who could contribute meaningfully in Pakistan cricket. In this regard, the franchise collaborated with Jazz with an aim to transform the local cricketing landscape through a development programme for young cricketers.
“As a team, our primary aim obviously is to win for the fans, but we also have this secondary focus on positively impacting the local cricketing environment. The Jazz Rising Stars initiative was envisioned to do just that,” Fawad Rana said. “After launching the first-ever career-oriented talent hunt, we are looking to develop the next generation of cricketers, who will not only bolster the ranks of Lahore Qalandars, but hopefully, also go on to represent the national team.”
The chairman expressed satisfaction with the amount of talent his team possesses and hoped that youngsters would avail the platform by locking horns with some of the best, and subsequently develop their games keeping in mind professional values and modern trends.
“We chose the leading Australian franchise so that our youngsters could learn modern techniques pertaining to physical fitness, mental strength, adequate diet, and most important, the Australian style of playing the game. We are excited to see whether the talent we found is capable of adapting the challenge being put before them. It wont be an easy job and the players will have to push themselves harder than ever before,” he asserted.
The chairman lauded the services of former test cricketer and Lahore Qalandars Operations Director Aaqib Javed, who, along with cricketing stalwart Mudassar Nazar, was the catalyst behind reviving the spirits in Lahore Qalandars, especially at a time when the club was at its lowest, finishing last in the inaugural league.
Fawad Rana believes that being an expatriate, it was his duty to contribute for the betterment of the country. “Most of the expatriates give charities but I believe in providing opportunities to the youth, develop them as per modern standards, and equip them with latest facilities so they become self-sufficient.”
Although Lahore Qalandars finished last in the inaugural season of PSL, but the support from fans kept the spirits and motivation levels high, said the chairman, who also owns an academy in Qatar where he arranges events to promote Pakistani sportsmen.
It is pertinent to mention that before venturing into PSL, Rana had also established Kausar Rana Trust (named after his mother), and with the collaboration of Akhuwat Foundation, provided interest-free loans to aspiring entrepreneurs with a view to empower the masses earn livelihood in a respectable way. “When you are living abroad, there is a constant urge of doing something meaningful for the country. I am happy that under the banner of Lahore Qalandars, I am surrounded with people who understand my professional vision as well as emotional wavelength and selflessly working to ensure upliftment of cricketers who have talent but are devoid of resources.
Fawad Rana, a petroleum engineer by profession and one of the leading Pakistani professionals in Qatar, started his career as an artist and wrote several plays during his youth. He was instrumental in founding the proclaimed ‘Ajoka Theatre’ and his contributions for development of arts and culture in the country have been realised and lauded by many acclaimed professionals even today. “I bid farewell to theatre and left Pakistan for good in 1992 owing to increased political involvement in the arts and culture scene of the country. It was a difficult time personally as I had to dig deep and start from scratch. I have no regrets, as my ultimate goal was always to serve my country in any way I could.”
He urged young and aspiring entrepreneurs to plan purposefully, proceed positively and bring persistency in approach. “Youngsters must understand that nobody will make money for them and that there is no shortcut to hard work,” he remarked.
Love for Lahore is unparallel for Fawad Rana, who believes that rich culture and heritage of the city is spellbinding. “Lahore a is unique city, as culture of all religions is found in abundance. There is no way I would have bought any other team than Lahore,” he affirmed.
The chairman cited his mother to be the biggest influence on his life. “The name ‘Qalandar’ means selfless devotee and I decided to adopt this name keeping in mind the selfless love and care of my mother,” he concluded.