Lahore Qalandars have announced their 14-man squad for the 2026 Global Super League (GSL), with one major surprise. Regular captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of the squad, ending his leadership stint for the tournament. New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has been appointed captain, while former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait will serve as the team’s bowling coach.
The Qalandars will begin their GSL 2026 campaign against Perth Scorchers on July 23 at Providence Stadium in Guyana. The five-team tournament will also feature Desert Vipers, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Perth Scorchers and San Francisco Unicorns. The competition will run until August 1, with all matches being played at the same venue.
Speaking earlier about the tournament, Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana said, “We are delighted to return to the ExxonMobil Global Super League. The inaugural edition was a fantastic platform for high-quality cricket and meaningful global engagement, and we are proud to once again represent Pakistan on this stage.” He also added, “This tournament allows us to showcase our talent, our culture, and our ambition to a global audience.”
Shaheen Afridi Misses GSL 2026 Squad as NOC Wait Continues
Shaheen Afridi’s absence has attracted plenty of attention. The left-arm pacer enjoyed a highly successful stint as Lahore Qalandars captain, guiding the franchise to three PSL titles. Across 94 PSL matches, Afridi has taken 138 wickets at an economy rate of 7.96. In the latest PSL season, he picked up 16 wickets in 10 innings while maintaining an economy of 7.86. However, the franchise has opted for a different combination for the Global Super League, while Afridi has signed with Kandy Royals for the Lanka Premier League.
Afridi is still awaiting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board to participate in overseas leagues. The PCB recently issued NOCs to several players for tournaments including The Hundred, the Lanka Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, and the Global Super League, but Afridi’s name was not included in the initial list. Since he has not been selected for Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against the West Indies, he is expected to receive clearance soon.
Lahore Qalandars previously participated in the inaugural Global Super League in 2024. Led by Carlos Brathwaite, they registered victories over Hampshire and Victoria but suffered defeats against Guyana Amazon Warriors and Rangpur Riders, resulting in an early exit. Rangpur Riders eventually lifted the trophy after defeating Victoria in the final.
The 2026 edition gives Lahore Qalandars another opportunity to make a mark on the global stage. With Michael Bracewell leading the side and Shaun Tait joining the coaching staff, the franchise will hope to improve on its previous campaign. As Global Super League chairman Clive Lloyd said, “We are thrilled to welcome Lahore Qalandars back to the Global Super League. They are one of the most dynamic and successful T20 franchises in world cricket.”
Lahore Qalandars squad for GSL 2026
Michael Bracewell (c), Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Naeem, Parvez Hossain Emon, Usama Mir, Shamyl Hussain, Shayan Jahangir, Farhan Yousaf, Shahab Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Ali Shabbir, Imran Randhawa, Delano Potgieter and Muhammad Basit.
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