- Quetta Gladiators appoint Shane Watson as head coach and Shaun Tait as bowling coach.
- Owner Nadeem Omer set to discuss potential removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed as skipper with Shane Watson.
- Frontrunners for captaincy reported as Rilee Russouw and Saud Shakeel.
In a surprising turn of events, Quetta Gladiators have undergone significant changes in their coaching staff, appointing former cricketers Shane Watson as head coach and Shaun Tait as bowling coach. However, the franchise is now faced with a crucial decision regarding the captaincy, with owner Nadeem Omer reportedly set to meet with Watson to discuss the potential removal of long-serving skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Sarfaraz, who has captained the Gladiators for eight years, may face the axe due to concerns over his recent form and performance. ESPN Cricinfo reports Rilee Russouw and Saud Shakeel as frontrunners to replace Sarfaraz as captain, with Shakeel’s leadership skills in domestic cricket boosting his candidacy.
Nadeem Omer expressed being “double-minded” about removing Sarfaraz as the skipper, acknowledging the captaincy question as the “elephant in the room.” Omer, in a podcast appearance, emphasized that Sarfaraz has been “off the boil” in recent years, citing reasons such as his unceremonious ousting by the PCB and other factors.
While Sarfaraz is willing to step aside if the franchise decides on a change in captaincy, Quetta Gladiators, known for their intimate relationship with players, plan to give him full honors if such a decision is made. The uncertainties surrounding Sarfaraz’s captaincy are further complicated by the historical tendency in Pakistan cricket to “dump players unceremoniously.”
The upcoming call with Shane Watson is poised to play a crucial role in deciding the future leadership dynamics of Quetta Gladiators. The team’s rich history under Sarfaraz’s leadership, reaching multiple finals and securing the title in 2019, adds complexity to the decision-making process. The management, during the PSL 9 Draft, had confirmed Sarfaraz as the team’s captain, but recent developments suggest that a change might be on the horizon.
Quetta Gladiators’ squad for PSL 9
Sherfane Rutherford, Mohammad Amir, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Jason Roy, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Sajjad Ali Junior, Usman Qadir, Omair Bin Yousuf, Will Smeed, Khawaja Nafay, Adil Naz, Akeal Hosain, and Sohail Khan.
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