Lahore Qalandars’ veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza has urged the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to embrace advanced technology to improve officiating standards, citing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a benchmark.
Speaking after his team’s defeat to Multan Sultans on Tuesday, Raza said cricket has seen significant innovation in recent years. He expressed hope that future editions of the PSL would incorporate digital tools, especially in decision-making and no-ball detection.
Raza pointed to the IPL’s use of digital height tracking for bowlers, which helps determine whether full-toss deliveries are legal by comparing them with the bowler’s recorded height. This system, he explained, greatly reduces human error and improves fairness.
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Despite Raza’s call for technological improvements, the Qalandars were unable to avoid a second defeat in the current season, falling short by 33 runs in a high-scoring contest at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a challenging target of 229, the Qalandars managed 195 for 9 in their 20 overs. The opening pair of Mohammad Naeem and Fakhar Zaman provided a lively start with a 38-run partnership. However, momentum was lost after Naeem was dismissed for 11 and Fakhar followed soon after with 32 off 14 balls.
Middle-order batter Sam Billings showed intent, scoring 43 off 23 balls, but consistent wicket losses stifled Lahore’s chase. Raza led the resistance with a determined knock of 50* from just 27 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and three sixes, but lacked support at the other end.
Following this defeat, Qalandars sit third on the points table with two wins and two losses. They will now face Peshawar Zalmi at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 24, hoping to return to winning ways.
