Arbitration court rules Lahore Qalandars ownership to be decided via Super Over

{Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and does not present itself as the truth. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.}

An arbitration court has ruled that the ownership dispute between the Rana brothers over the Lahore Qalandars franchise will be resolved through what officials described as a Super Over, after regular proceedings failed to produce a decisive result.

The neutral umpire in the matter, Justice (r) Ramiz Raja — appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan — has given the parties 45 days to complete the Super Over or concede it, failing which the matter may be referred upstairs.

Under the ruling, the current management must either restore majority control of the franchise to Qatar Lubricants Company (QALCO) or forfeit the Super Over by paying Rs 2.3 billion plus markup.

Sources familiar with the matter say both sides have begun preparations. One brother is understood to be working on his power-hitting, while the other has reportedly focused on death-over bowling and field placements, particularly around undisclosed third parties.

The ruling also directs the management to account for the role of an unnamed substitute — referred to only as “Mr Niazi” — who appeared during the match without prior declaration and may have materially affected the outcome.

Legal advisers say the Super Over will be conducted under strict playing conditions, though either side may still request a review, subject to the availability of clear footage.

In the meantime, counsel for QALCO has written to the Pakistan Cricket Board requesting that no changes to team management or strategy be recognised until the Super Over is completed or abandoned due to poor light.

Play is expected to resume shortly.