Shaheen Shah Afridi has called for a stronger showing from his bowling attack after Lahore Qalandars suffered a convincing six-wicket defeat against Quetta Gladiators in the 26th match of Pakistan Super League Season 11 at National Bank Stadium.

The defending champions had a promising start to their campaign, securing two wins in their opening three matches. However, their momentum has faded since the tournament shifted to Karachi, with the team now facing three consecutive defeats.

A major concern for Lahore has been their batting collapse in recent matches. The side has failed to play the full 20 overs in any of their outings in Karachi, raising questions about consistency and adaptability in challenging conditions.

Despite acknowledging the batting struggles, Shaheen emphasized that the responsibility does not lie solely with the top order. He pointed out that the bowling unit must play a more decisive role, especially during the crucial middle overs where matches often shift direction.

Speaking after the match, Shaheen maintained that the team remains in contention but needs to address its shortcomings quickly. He highlighted the importance of taking wickets in the middle phase to put pressure on the opposition and regain control of games.

The recent string of losses has exposed gaps in both execution and strategy for Lahore Qalandars. While early performances hinted at another strong season, the current slump has made their path to the playoffs more challenging.

Cricket analysts believe that improving bowling discipline and finishing batting innings will be key for Lahore to bounce back. With the tournament entering a critical phase, every match now carries added significance for the defending champions.

As PSL 11 progresses, Lahore Qalandars will need a collective team effort to turn their fortunes around. Whether they can rediscover their winning rhythm will depend largely on how quickly they address their bowling and batting inconsistencies.