Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have had a tough run after losing all five of their matches so far in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine. The two-time champions are currently at the bottom of the points table and their next match is against league leaders Multan Sultans in Lahore tomorrow. To remain in the hunt for the playoffs, Lahore will need to win all their remaining five matches and collect 10 points.
The minimum number of points required to qualify for the play-offs has generally been 10. Peshawar Zalmi in 2023, Karachi Kings in 2021 and 2019 and Quetta Gladiators in 2018 qualified for the playoffs with 10 points, the lowest among the four teams that made it to the next round. Islamabad United qualified for the playoffs in 2022 with eight points and Peshawar Zalmi with nine points in 2020.
So if we look at the PSL results of previous years, Lahore Qalandars should not lose all hope yet. Lahore will now play their next match against Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium on February 27, after which the defending champions will face Peshawar Zalmi at the Pindi Stadium on March 2. Lahore Qalandars will face Islamabad United at Pindi Stadium on March 6. On March 9, the teams of Lahore and Karachi Kings will face each other at the National Bank Stadium. On March 10, Lahore Qalandars will face Quetta Gladiators in their final match.