Just few days remain for the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to get underway in the UAE.
The six PSL franchises will once again battle it out for the crown of Pakistan’s best.
Ahead of a mouthwatering fourth edition of the T20 carnival, we profile the Quetta Gladiators franchise who have been runners-up of PSL on two occasions.
Squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Shane Watson, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Nawaz, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Azam Khan, Saud Shakeel, Sunil Narine, Sohail Tanvir, Dwayne Bravo, Fawad Ahmed, Jalat Khan, Mohammad Asghar, Danish Aziz, Ahsan Ali, Ghulam Mudassar, Naseem Shah, Harry Gurney.
Skipper – Sarfraz Ahmed
The Pakistan skipper and wicketkeeper-batsman is once again the automatic choice to lead the team this season. Has a point to prove after serving a four match suspension for racist remarks in South Africa.
Past performances
Quetta have traditionally been strong performers in the PSL and were runners-up in 2016 and 2017. Last season wasn’t a fruitful one however with the team falling at the playoff hurdle.
Coach – Moin Khan
Sarfraz can turn to another former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman for advice with Moin Khan taking the coaching reins. Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq will don the assistant coach hat while Windies legend Viv Richards is the batting mentor.
Key players – Shane Watson, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo
Strengths
The Quetta squad is littered with proven performers in the T20 format with the likes of Watson, Narine, Bravo and Sarfraz in the fray. They also have the services of Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal who have plenty of experience in UAE conditions. Watson, Narine and Bravo are all-rounders too and that should provide the side with a good balance.
Weakness
The likes of Watson and Bravo are now approaching the end of their playing career and the squad is a little short on youth. The team could lag a bit on the field due to that reason. They also lack in the domestic pool in the pace department with Tanvir the only recognisable name.
Prediction – Playoffs/Final
Along with Lahore and Peshawar, Quetta are among the stronger sides in PSL 4 and should have no trouble in making the playoffs for a fourth time in a row. Getting to the final might be a little tricky though for Sarfraz and his men.
