Lahore Qalandars, the famous franchise of the Pakistan Super League, became the champions in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. This is a team that, even when not playing on the field, keeps cricket fans intrigued about their upcoming plans. What strategies are they developing for young players and the future of the game? The enthusiasm surrounding Lahore Qalandars' vision and approach is so high that there was a time when people started to wonder whether they might eventually challenge the Pakistan Cricket Board with their innovative projects and high-quality work in cricket.

This story began in 2016 when Pakistan Cricket Board's Chief Executive Najam Aziz Sethi decided to launch the PSL. In the initial phase, five teams were put up for sale, and the Lahore franchise was bought by Aatif Rana, the most dynamic and forward-thinking member of the Rana family, for a record sum in the very first bid. At that time, no one could have imagined that Aatif Rana, who began his career as a banker and built his success in the oil business, would go on to surprise everyone in this new venture.

Aatif Rana's personality is such that once he embarks on a project, he does not back out until it is completed. He has approached Lahore Qalandars with the same determination. His latest and most significant initiative is the 'Friends of Qalandars' agreement between the University of Management and Technology and Lahore Qalandars. This partnership aims to enhance student engagement, develop leadership skills, and promote sports. Aatif Rana, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars, stated that ‘Friends of Qalandars’ is an exciting initiative aimed at empowering youth through university fan clubs. It will provide a platform for students to participate in special activities, enhance their skills, build a strong fan community, hold Q&A sessions with players, organize inter-university tournaments, lead community projects, and expand networking opportunities.

Aatif Rana believes that the integration of sports and education is crucial in Pakistan. Thus, he regularly arranges various programs at the college and university level under the Lahore Qalandars banner. Previously, the franchise has worked with the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) to provide young cricketers with technical skills alongside their sport, ensuring that if they are unable to make a career in cricket, they still have practical skills to rely on. Lahore Qalandars has also collaborated with NED University to advance high-performance centers. Rana’s commitment to action, rather than just words, is evident in the way he executes these initiatives.

Aatif Rana and Chief Operating Officer Sameen Rana have ensured that there is never any compromise on quality and standards. Whenever the franchise launches an initiative, they execute it with complete dedication, leaving no room for shortcuts. Aatif Rana brought together former Pakistani Test cricketers Mudassar Nazar, Ijaz Ahmed, and Aqib Javed to manage Lahore Qalandars. Aatif Rana shares a close, brotherly bond with Aqib Javed, who now serves as the coach of the Pakistan national team. Lahore Qalandars not only provided him with the opportunity to take up this role but also expressed their gratitude for his years of service, wishing him the best in his new journey. In Aqib Javed’s absence, the franchise has appointed Darren Gough, a 54-year-old former England international cricketer who played from 1994 to 2006.

It is Aatif Rana's vision and determination that have played a significant role in establishing Lahore Qalandars as an internationally recognized brand. From Australia's Big Bash to South Africa's Global T20 League, Zimbabwe's Player Development Program, and the Global League in the West Indies, Lahore Qalandars' footprint has expanded globally, thanks to Aatif Rana's persistence and strategic leadership.

One of Lahore Qalandars' greatest milestones is the Player Development Program in Pakistan, which saw a record registration of over 500,000 children. Through this program, Aatif Rana provided aspiring young cricketers with a respected platform to prove themselves in trials. His vision and support helped Pakistan produce fast bowlers like Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan.

This effort did not stop there; Sameen Rana, Lahore Qalandars' COO, has also played a crucial role in nurturing talent such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, instilling confidence in them and making them an integral part of the Qalandars family.

As Lahore Qalandars prepares for Pakistan Super League Season 10 in 2025, they are ready to enter the field with renewed determination and ambition, led by Test fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Aatif Rana, the CEO of Lahore Qalandars, has stated that they aim to exceed the expectations of their fans and live up to the trust placed in them by all stakeholders. He believes that the PSL has evolved into a nationwide festival, uniting fans in their passion for cricket. Over the past ten years, Aatif Rana has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported him and the franchise, contributing to their success.

Aatif Rana further stated that Lahore Qalandars is not just a team representing Lahore but a team for all of Pakistan. His vision is to extend the franchise’s impact across the country, ensuring that every child dreaming of representing Pakistan at the international level finds a support system through Lahore Qalandars.