Lahore Qalandars victory keeps on redefining the playoff contest of the Pakistan Super League 11 with the champions of the tournament achieving another significant win. Lahore Qalandars won Quetta Gladiators by nine runs at Gaddafi Stadium and it was their second in the row of victory in the tournament.
This outcome is an indication of the momentum that the Qalandars have changed as they had been struggling in the season. This victory brought them up the ladder, which made their prospects of making it to the knockout phase stronger. The squad now appears more balanced and both batting strength and bowling discipline has improved.
In the case of Quetta Gladiators, the loss is a strain at the wrong time. Even though they remain in the competition, their tolerance is becoming very small. Their inconsistent performances have rendered their campaign unpredictable and now each remaining match has the must-win quality to it.
Peshawar Zalmi are still leading the pack. Their streak without defeat underscores the difference between the front runners and the following group, which puts a high standard in consistency during PSL 11.
In a larger context, the return of Lahore is a sign of the speed of the dynamics of T20 leagues. Two good games will be enough to rejuvenate a bad campaign and turn the fortunes around in the team. Their recent victories indicate that they are performing better under pressure particularly in totals defense.
Going forward, the Qalandars would seek to continue this trend as the tournament takes the decisive stage. When they keep this upwards trend, they may be a serious contender in the future, even though they have had a shaky start.
