When the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was launched ten years ago, it was born out of hope, doubt, and a country’s collective yearning to reclaim its place on the global cricket map.

Few could predict that what began as a tentative experiment in the UAE would grow into Pakistan’s greatest modern sporting enterprise, an institution that transcends boundaries, cities, and commercial value.

Today, as the PSL enters its second decade, it does so not merely as a cricket tournament, but as a symbol of Pakistan’s resilience, ambition, and sporting identity. Yet, if the PSL’s story is one of national pride, then Lahore Qalandars stand as its most compelling chapter. They are not just a franchise, they are the emotional heartbeat of the league, the team that shaped its culture, expanded its horizons, and consistently pushed its limits on and off the field.

This is the story of how an audacious dream became a national phenomenon, and how one franchise, through vision and unwavering faith, helped carry the PSL through both its darkest uncertainties and its brightest triumphs.

Former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi often recalls the PSL’s beginning with a mix of nostalgia and candour. “We had nothing but a dream and a bank balance of only $300,000,” he says, a figure that seems absurdly small in retrospect, given the scale of the project ahead. The league needed tens of millions, multiple bidders, broadcast guarantees, and a leap of faith from investors who had every reason to hesitate.

Among those hesitant investors, one man stepped forward, Atif Rana, the lion-hearted CEO of Lahore Qalandars. At a time when no bidder was willing to commit even $1.5 million, Atif Rana placed $2.5 million on the table without blinking. “Najam bhai,” he had said, “whatever you need, we’ll make it happen.”

It was more than a financial gesture. It was a declaration of faith that shifted the fate of the PSL. The early seasons were not glamorous. Matches were held away from home, stadiums echoed with uncertainty, and skeptics questioned whether Pakistani cricket had the economic or structural muscle to sustain a league. But Lahore Qalandars embraced the challenge with something more powerful than resources: conviction.

In ten years, Lahore Qalandars have moved from the league’s sentimental favourites to its most dominant force. Their transformation is one of the most compelling sporting arcs in Pakistan’s history, three PSL titles in four seasons, unrivaled player development pathways, and a franchise culture built not on glamour, but on purpose. This success is not accidental. It is engineered.

An independent valuation by EY MENA recently declared Lahore Qalandars the most valuable PSL franchise, measuring both cricketing excellence and organizational strength. That recognition captures what sets the Qalandars apart: they play the long game. Today, the Qalandars operate High Performance Centers in Lahore and Karachi, state-of-the-art hubs where raw talent is refined into professional-grade cricket.

The third center, launched in partnership with Capital Smart City Islamabad, signals the next chapter of their nationwide infrastructure network. “Building a High Performance Center is not about walls and rooms,” Chairman Zahid Rafiq said. “It is about shaping futures.”

Few franchises anywhere in the world, let alone in South Asia, have invested this heavily in youth development. Many PSL players who rose from obscurity, Haris Rauf, Dilbar Hussain, and others, are living proof of that vision.

The Qalandars’ decade celebrations in Islamabad reflected the franchise’s global reach. Stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf mingled with Zimbabwe Cricket’s leadership, celebrating an international partnership that has opened doors for players across borders. Sikandar Raza, affectionately known as “Qalandars ka Sikandar”, embodies this collaboration, representing both the franchise’s inclusivity and its global cultural impact.

Sri Lankan stars Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Kusal Perera added international flavour to the celebrations, highlighting the Qalandars’ ever-expanding cricketing ecosystem. At the heart of it all stood franchise owners Atif Rana and Sameen Rana, whose words echoed the emotional core of the Qalandars brand.

Atif Rana’s reflection: “Lahore Qalandars is a movement powered by passion… The next decade will redefine what a PSL franchise can achieve.” Sameen Rana’s message: “Our strength lies not only in trophies, but in the sustainable systems we have built.”

The PSL’s tenth anniversary also marks a pivotal administrative milestone. Franchises across the league, including Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United, have renewed their agreements at updated market valuations assessed by Ernst & Young. These renewals are more than contractual formalities, they are votes of confidence in the PSL’s unstoppable growth.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi rightly described these renewals as a signal of “enduring trust” and a foundation for “unprecedented heights.” The league is heading toward an eight-team expansion from its 11th season, opening a new era of competitive and commercial opportunity.

Zalmi’s Cultural Impact: Peshawar Zalmi, one of Pakistan’s most culturally influential franchises, renewed early—reflecting Javed Afridi’s long-term commitment to the league.

Quetta Gladiators’ Loyal Legacy: Nadeem Omar’s Gladiators, known for their deep-rooted fan culture, extended their partnership for another decade, reinforcing the PSL’s stability.

Karachi Kings’ Commercial Presence: Salman Iqbal’s Karachi Kings continue as a major commercial force, leveraging the massive Karachi fan base.

Islamabad United’s Data-Driven Excellence: Islamabad United, the PSL’s first and three-time champions, reaffirmed their decade-long commitment, bringing their signature professionalism and analytical edge into the league’s future.

Ten years ago, Pakistan needed the PSL. Today, the PSL defines Pakistan. It rebuilt the country’s cricketing identity, revived its stadiums, reconnected its fans, and provided a platform where young Pakistanis could dream on a global stage. The league has elevated Pakistan from a cricketing host in exile to a home of premier cricketing entertainment.

And at the center of this transformation stands a franchise that believed when belief was rare, Lahore Qalandars. If the PSL is Pakistan’s identity, then the Qalandars are its storytellers. As the league marches ahead into a new decade, bigger, richer, stronger, the Qalandars’ legacy serves as both foundation and inspiration. The next chapter will be written by new heroes, new cities, new champions.

But one truth is unshakable: The PSL is no longer just a league. It is Pakistan’s sporting soul, and Lahore Qalandars helped build it.

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