In a major development ahead of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to step down as captain of Quetta Gladiators. Franchise owner Nadeem Omer confirmed that Sarfaraz intends to take a break from captaincy. However, he did not reveal who will lead Quetta Gladiators in the upcoming season.
"Sarfaraz wants to take a break from captaincy with new head coach Shane Watson set to decide who will lead the side after consulting with the team management," Nadeem was quoted as saying by Geo News.
The reports also suggest that South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw and Pakistan's batting all-rounder Saud Shakeel are the two frontrunners to replace Sarfaraz as captain. The official announcement is expected to be made in the coming days.
Under Sarfaraz's leadership, Quetta Gladiators played three finals. In the 2019 edition, they beat Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets to clinch their maiden PSL title.
Meanwhile, Nadeem is content to get the services of Watson as the head coach. He also intends to bring Kevin Pietersen back to the fold as well.
"The old family of Quetta Gladiators has started coming together again. Pietersen should also come with Quetta Gladiators in some role," he said.
Quetta Gladiators will take on Peshawar Zalmi in their campaign opener on February 18 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
In the PSL draft, Quetta Gladiators roped in a few crucial players including Mohammad Amir, Sherfane Rutherford, Shakeel, Usman Qadir, Akeal Hosein and Sohail Khan.
How Quetta Gladiators fared in PSL 2023
In the previous season, Quetta Gladiators were eliminated from the playoffs race pretty early. They finished at the bottom of the points table with seven losses from 10 games.
Rossouw was their highest run-scorer with 453 runs from 11 games at an average of 45.30. He scored one century and three fifties in the season.
Quetta Gladiators full squad: Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Jason Roy, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Will Smeed, Saud Shakeel, Sajjad Ali Jnr, Usman Qadir, Adil Naz, Khawaja Nafay, Akeal Hosein, Sohail Khan, Omair Yousuf, Sherfane Rutherford, Bismallah Khan, Laurie Evans
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