[VIDEOS] Quetta Gladiators PSL 8 | Squad and Discussion Thread

[Firebat]

After missing out on the PSL 7 playoffs on NRR, can this Quetta squad make it further?

 

[Saj]

Seems like typical QG.

Jobs for the boys, same old, with a few decent signings.

 

[shamaan]

Quetta
Jason Roy
Abdul Wahid
Will Smeed
Sarfraz
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Wanindu Hasaranga
Odean Smith
Nawaz
Naseem Shah
Hasnain

Should have picked an experienced bowler.
huge expectation on Hasaranga.

 

[shamaan]

Seems like typical QG.

Jobs for the boys, same old, with a few decent signings.

They needed to pick an experienced t20 bowler to bowl alongside Naseem and Husnain.

 

[Nasty Naz]

With Naveen, Hasnain, Naseem, Nawaz & Hasaranga, they look like a top tier team bowling wise. Batting looks awful though and its hard to see them doing well unless some players like Roy/Iftikhar/Hasaranga/Nawaz have a great PSL season.

 

[Rana]

Quetta
Jason Roy
Abdul Wahid
Will Smeed
Sarfraz
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Wanindu Hasaranga
Odean Smith
Nawaz
Naseem Shah
Hasnain

Should have picked an experienced bowler.
huge expectation on Hasaranga.

Bangalzai is rubbish

Ahsan Ali will open. He is a decent opener

 

[Rana]

A middle order of Iftikhar, Nawaz and Umar Akmal

Potentially the best all Pakistani middle order in the competition

Sarfaraz needs to get this right

 

[TeymurBlake]

Quite a few poor signings.

1. Will Smeed (F)
2. Omair Bin Yousuf
3. Martin Guptill/Jason Roy (F)
4. Sarfaraz Ahmed (C)(WK)
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Mohammad Nawaz
7. Wanindu Hasaranga (F)
8. Odean Smith (F)
9. Naseem Shah
10. Mohammad Hasnain
11. Aimal Khan (E)

Couldn't choose between Martin Guptill or Jason Roy as both have been in terrible form. If or when Roy is unavailable, then pick Martin Guptill.

 

[Saj]

They needed to pick an experienced t20 bowler to bowl alongside Naseem and Husnain.

I think their bowling looks the stronger suit.

The batting looks fragile though.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Houston Hurricanes are off to Pakistan &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <br><br>This marks the first time a team from the US has played a Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, with a best of three match T20 series set to take place on Jan 27-29.<br><br>Read more <a href="https://t.co/9ztYfehY49">https://t.co/9ztYfehY49</a> <a href="https://t.co/RZTlsq5URz">pic.twitter.com/RZTlsq5URz</a></p>— Minor League Cricket (@MiLCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiLCricket/status/1614715453204570119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Quetta Gladiators will warm-up for the upcoming eight edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) by playing a three-match T20 series with Houston Hurricanes from the United States of America (USA).

Houston Hurricanes plays in USA’s Minor League Cricket’s Central Division and comprises of several expat players from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Hurricanes’ squad will arrive in Pakistan in late January and includes players like Shehan Jayasuriya, Lahiru Milantha, Nauman Anwer and Shayan Jahangir.

The matches between both the teams will place at National Bank Cricket Arena (NBCA) in Karachi on January 27, 28, and 29.

The three-match series will provide Gladiators an opportunity to try different team combinations ahead of HBL PSL 8, which will be played from February 13 to March 19 in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

 

[MenInG]

As per reports:

Quetta Gladiators will opt for partial replacements for Waninidu Hasaranga, Jason Roy, and Odean Smith.

 

[SentOff]

As per reports:

Quetta Gladiators will opt for partial replacements for Waninidu Hasaranga, Jason Roy, and Odean Smith.

Narine for Hasaranga
Curran for Smith
Glenn Phillips or Stoinis for Jason Roy

 

[zoeyfactor]

What does partial replacement mean in context here?

 

[MenInG]

Supplementary and replacements picks on Wednesday (25 January 2023):

Quetta Gladiators – Supplementary: Qais Ahmed and Saud Shakeel. Replacement: Dwaine Pretorius, Will Jacks and Nuwan Thushara

 

[TeymurBlake]

Saud Shakeel is a interesting choice. This is the platform for a white ball career for Pakistan. But I like the foreign players picked, Will Jacks is a top top pick. Dwaine Pretorius is a smart AR pick.

 

[shamaan]

Saud Shakeel poor choice.
Will Jacks and Pretorius are two very good picks.

 

[shamaan]

Guptill
Ahsan Ali
Will smeed
Sarfraz WK
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Will jacks
Nawaz
Naseem Shah
Aimal khan E
Hasnain

Will jacks and Iftikhar can provide 5/6 bowling option.

 

[MenInG]

Final squad:

Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Ahsan Ali, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qais Ahmed, Saud Shakeel

Dwaine Pretorius (partial replacement for Odean Smith), Will Jacks (partial replacement for Jason Roy), Nuwan Thushara (partial replacement for Naveen ul Haq)

 

[SentOff]

In an ideal world:

Jason Roy
Will Jacks
Will Smeed
Sarfaraz
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Hasaranga
Nawaz
Naseem
Hasnain
Emerging Player

 

[Bewal Express]

Who is Muhammad Zahid?

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Who is Muhammad Zahid?

Kernel Zahid ( Yes, I know the spelling, but that’s how they show his name elsewhere). Apparently one of the quickest tape ball bowlers in Pakistan, part of the LQ PDP whose featured in the T10s.

 

[Firebat]

Who is Muhammad Zahid?

The "King of Tape Ball Cricket".

 

[MenInG]

Many thanks to [MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] for his excellent preview of the season

Quetta Gladiators

Quetta will be going into this year’s PSL with a balanced squad that has the potential to challenge for the title. They have the right kind of international overseas talent, the experienced local cricketers some of whom have performed well for Pakistan recently and an energetic battery of pace bowlers as well. Just like Islamabad, they must also find a way to best utilize their resources in order to jump the final hurdles. A return in confidence for the captain Sarfaraz Ahmed due to his heroics in the NZ Test series could ignite the spark that is needed for their title campaign. Also, the red-hot form of Iftikhar Ahmed would be a danger sign for all opponents this year, as Iftikhar is better than ever!

QG will be banking on Naseem Shah to stay motivated for this franchise and deliver up front with the new ball, the improvements Naseem has made to his white ball game spell threats to top order batsmen throughout the league. QG’s priority pick in the draft was the Sri Lankan ace bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been one of the best and most sought after T20 bowlers in the world with his game changing/wicket taking abilities in the middle overs spells. Alongside Hasaranga, the spin bowling experience of Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed will be crucial in order to tie down teams into the classic chokehold tactic that Sarfaraz Ahmed was expertly known for during his reign as the number 1 T20i captain of the world once upon a time.

QG will also be hoping that they see the best of Jason Roy for whatever time he is available for the tournament. The England opener is still one of the best strikers of the ball in world cricket, however his form has not been ideal of late. Besides Roy, QG have picked one of the best available players from the second draft in the form of Will Jacks who was thoroughly impressive as a power hitter in the SAT20. Jacks also provides a bowling option with his off-spin, he is a complete cricketer who will have an eye on a big IPL contract with good performances in this year’s PSL.

With his brother now a part of the selection committee, Umar Akmal will feel that he has no excuses this time round if he isn’t selected for Pakistan going into the future. Umar, like Sharjeel and Amir has now got the best opportunity to show the world and the Pakistan selectors why he is still the best option for the middle order by scoring runs and winning matches for his side. His fate is now in his own hands and not in the hands of those who he may believe have kept him out.

Afghanistan’s Naveen ul Haq is a very underrated yet a very good emerging T20 bowler in world cricket, and he has also found his way into the QG squad due to an excellent pick by their management in the draft. Naveen’s reputation as a reliable T20 bowler has continued to grow with good performances in various T20 leagues and also for Afghanistan. Naveen as one of the three seamers alongside Naseem and Hasnain is a great balance, alongside Hasaranga, Nawaz and Iftikhar as their spin options.


Full Squad:

Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Ahsan Ali, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qais Ahmed, Saud Shakeel

Dwaine Pretorius (partial replacement for Odean Smith), Will Jacks (partial replacement for Jason Roy), Nuwan Thushara (partial replacement for Naveen ul Haq)

 

[MenInG]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/hqby1w" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Martin Guptill shares his excitement on playing in Pakistan for the very first time.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Naseem Shah "This time our team is better. The plan is to play better cricket, perform well and win the Pakistan Super League" <a href="https://t.co/8F2Xxpmvcv">https://t.co/8F2Xxpmvcv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1623373234899980289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Maher96]

With Roy going to play for England, Jacks and Smeed should have a good run. Hasaraga and Guptil will also be very key.

Think they will go with

Guptill
Jacks
Bangalzai
Sarfraz
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Nawaz
Hasaranga
Pretorius
Naseem
Hasnain

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

With Roy going to play for England, Jacks and Smeed should have a good run. Hasaraga and Guptil will also be very key.

Think they will go with

Guptill
Jacks
Bangalzai
Sarfraz
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Nawaz
Hasaranga
Pretorius
Naseem
Hasnain

I feel that Omair Bin Youssuf will see a lot of game time. He’s got the one thing that you rarely see in domestic Pakistan batsmen, in that he handles pressure well. Omair will probably play in place of either Bangalzai or Akmal.

 

[Rana]

With Roy going to play for England, Jacks and Smeed should have a good run. Hasaraga and Guptil will also be very key.

Think they will go with

Guptill
Jacks
Bangalzai
Sarfraz
Iftikhar
Umar Akmal
Nawaz
Hasaranga
Pretorius
Naseem
Hasnain

Bangalzai is a waste of a spot

I would rather send Chacha at 3 and let him run riot!

Naveen is a much better T20 bowling option for the sub continent than Pretorious

 

[MenInG]

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Gladiator Jason Roy is hopeful that this could be Quetta Gladiators year in the HBLPSL as the squad have likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Martin Guptill in it while we have got a strong core of local players as well.

 

[Rana]

So he has confirmed Guptil will open with him

That means Hasaranga will be the 3rd overseas.

4th overseas will be interesting

 

[Saj]

So much depends on Jason Roy.

His availability is crucial to QG's chances.

 

[Rana]

So much depends on Jason Roy.

His availability is crucial to QG's chances.

You are underestimating Iftikhar’s form and Hasaranga’s guile

These two are key. Roy isn’t in his prime form anymore

 

[shamaan]

You are underestimating Iftikhar’s form and Hasaranga’s guile

These two are key. Roy isn’t in his prime form anymore

It will need more than Iftikhars form for them to go far in the tournament

 

[Rana]

It will need more than Iftikhars form for them to go far in the tournament

They have a solid team

 

[Saj]

Naseem Shah could also have a good tournament if he stays fit.

The concern is regarding his ability to go through the tournament without any injury issues.

 

[MenInG]

Quetta Gladiators lifted the HBL Pakistan Super League trophy in 2019 following an eight-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi at the National Bank Cricket Arena. Before that, they had played the finals of the first two editions in 2016 and 2017.

The Gladiators from Quetta established themselves as one of the stronger units in the tournament before their form nosedived in the 2020 edition that saw them crash out of the tournament in the league stage for the first time ever and since they are yet to finish in the top four.

Quetta Gladiators open their HBL PSL 8 campaign on Wednesday (15 February) when they play the hosts Multan Sultans at the Multan Cricket Stadium and hope to regain the pre-2020 form. Ahead of the tournament, PCB Digital spoke to their head coach, Moin Khan, about the impact of the HBL PSL on Balochistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is the only captain to lead his side in all seven editions, as a leader of Quetta Gladiators, and how the HBL PSL has uplifted Pakistan cricket.

What has been the impact of Quetta Gladiators and HBL PSL on the development of cricket in Balochistan?

Quetta Gladiators and the HBL PSL have played an inspiring role for cricket in the region. Despite a lack of facilities in that part of the country and unfavourable weather conditions in winters, there has been a spike in interest for cricket here with local talent emerging and due to the association with the Quetta Gladiators brand.

In the first season, we had Bismillah Khan, and recently we have had Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Abdul Nasir in the team, showing that Quetta Gladiators have created an impact.

We have also been instructed by the management to have representation from Quetta in the squad every season. For this purpose, we visit Quetta in the summers and conduct a local tournament to unearth young talent and induct them in the side.

What has been Sarfaraz Ahmed’s impact on the Quetta Gladiators dressing room?

Sarfaraz Ahmed has made an outstanding contribution to Quetta Gladiators. He has performed as an individual and captain of the team. He is a determined and hardworking cricketer and knows how to make a comeback. He is a street-smart cricketer and knows how to lead the side, which is reflected by Quetta Gladiators’ impressive win percentage across all seven seasons.

We will see a more buoyant Sarfaraz in action as he would be looking to carry forward the momentum of his player of the series winning performance against New Zealand.

What goes into making a playing XI and what is your philosophy as a coach?

We have a close look at the conditions and try to develop a consensus when we sit together to device our playing XI. We even involve our owners as they are the most concerned because they are financing the whole franchise.

I want my team to play fearless cricket, because that is the demand of this format and you would stay under pressure if you don’t play that way. Also, clarity is of utmost importance.

What do you think has been the impact of the HBL PSL on Pakistan cricket?

HBL PSL has emerged as a big brand [since its inception in 2016]. There were doubts about its impact on our cricket when it was being launched, but the HBL PSL has taken the graph of Pakistan cricket to new levels. And, it is not only restricted to the game development, but also from a business perceptive. Since the HBL PSL is followed worldwide, many brands have connected with the tournament.

It has produced many cricketers for Pakistan who have done well in this format and created an impact. International cricketers also want to play the HBL PSL, because of its competitive nature. You get to see top cricket in the HBL PSL because of the bowling as Pakistan’s top brass of fast and spin bowlers play in it and the foreigners enjoy being here.

This league can be compared with any league around the world, because of the pitches, conditions, the quality of the opposition and players, and I feel the HBL PSL has improved the graph of Pakistan cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Will Smeed buzzing to be back with Quetta Gladiators and to play PSL again as he shares that playing in PSL was amazing for his career.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/x96fo9" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[BunnyRabbit]

QG has failed to reach the next round for last 3 seasons. And instead of making some changes in the backstaff and the team as well they are going in with the same stuff.

 

[Rana]

From most of the reading I have done, a lot of people are underestimating Quetta. Maybe because they just don’t like Sarfaraz?

The truth is, they are a much improved side this year.

1. Naseem is a much improved bowler since last year. He can pick up 1-2 wickets in his opening spell

2. Iftikhar is in the form of his life. The whole tournament is on red alert because of him!

3. Nawaz has strong performances for Pakistan since last year with the bat and ball

4. Dwaine Pretorious is surprisingly a good pick as the late bowling all rounder. He has a T20 sr of 160! He could be their David Wiese

5. Hasaranga is either the best or one of the best T20 bowlers in the world

6. Roy and Umar Akmal are desperate to perform and get back into national contention for their side with the World Cup approaching

Write them off at your own peril!

 

[Maher96]

Hafeez has been included in QG squad.

Think he has still got it in him to offer something in the PSL.

Could well open also. Local players seem to be the strongest in QG camp this year.

Guptill
Roy
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Ifitkhar
Umar Akmal
Hasaranga
Nawaz
Naseem
Hasnain
Aimal

They local players are so strong they might just play 3 foreigners.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Hafeez has joined Quetta Gladiators as a replacement player for the injured Ahsan Ali <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1625128610708307968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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[shamaan]

Hafeez has been included in QG squad.

Think he has still got it in him to offer something in the PSL.

Could well open also. Local players seem to be the strongest in QG camp this year.

Guptill
Roy
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Ifitkhar
Umar Akmal
Hasaranga
Nawaz
Naseem
Hasnain
Aimal

They local players are so strong they might just play 3 foreigners.

Very good team.

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) technical committee has approved Quetta Gladiators request to replace injured Ahsaan Ali with experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

He has joined the team in Multan.

 

[Rana]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Hafeez has joined Quetta Gladiators as a replacement player for the injured Ahsan Ali <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1625128610708307968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Serious signing

Now Umar Akmal is in trouble

 

[Saj]

Oh dear.

New season, same Quetta.

Terrible start for them.

Not quite sure what the plan was, but they looked awful.

 

[ZaidTR]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) technical committee has approved Quetta Gladiators request to replace injured Ahsaan Ali with experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

He has joined the team in Multan.

Can we replace Ifthikar too. He is useless. All his hype was fluke

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Oh dear.

New season, same Quetta.

Terrible start for them.

Not quite sure what the plan was, but they looked awful.

I think, separate to last season, they actually have a good squad. They now just need to pick the right players.

They have this terrible habit of picking their emerging player as an afterthought. Aimal Khan needs to be their emerging player and open the bowling.

Omair Bin Youssuf needs to play in the middle order.

And Will Smeed absolutely needs to play every game.

 

[MenInG]

Tv comms saying the players are not match ready or have not played for a while. Hafeez and Umar Akmal cases in point.

 

[shamaan]

They played the wrong players in the wrong positions.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The team looks decent on paper and will eventually come good.

 

[Maher96]

To be honest Roy, Guptill and the pacer looked like they weren’t welcomed yet. Quetta didn’t even form a circle for cameras!

Hafeez at 8? Sarfraz at 4? Ifitmania with a duck.

Sarfraz calling Hafeez Boy! When bowling.

Comedy Central in the first game!

 

[Savak]

Quettas team looks very unsettled. Hafeez looks past it now and lack of game time will make it harder for him to get going straight away at his age.

Umar Akmal is not even domestic cricket material now.

 

[MenInG]

Quettas team looks very unsettled. Hafeez looks past it now and lack of game time will make it harder for him to get going straight away at his age.

Umar Akmal is not even domestic cricket material now.

It looks like a team of friends not one geared to win a title.

Sarfaraz Ahmed seems like a puppet and not a proper captain at the hands of the owners.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar has awarded Martin Guptill 5 lakh rupees, whilst Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Qais Ahmed, Odean Smith and Mohammad Nawaz have been awarded 50,000 rupees each for their performance against Karachi Kings <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QGvKK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QGvKK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1627235271082123266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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[Saj]

Jason Roy is a huge player for them.

He's struggled and that has really hampered their performances so far.

Guptill's freakish innings led them to a win, but that sort of innings isn't going to be played regularly.

 

[zacattakk]

Jason Roy is a huge player for them.

He's struggled and that has really hampered their performances so far.

Guptill's freakish innings led them to a win, but that sort of innings isn't going to be played regularly.

I just read that SLC denied NOC for Hasaranga so he can't play the PSL! Kusal Mendis was also denied an NOC, but they allowed Rajapaksa to play.

 

[MenInG]

Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is set to miss the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League as Sri Lankan Cricket Board has not granted him NOC. The Lankan spinner was drafted by Quetta Gladiators for season eight of PSL, and the team was expecting his arrival on Monday. However, SLC have asked him to focus playing on first-class cricket. The leg spinner will also return to the Lankan side for the Test tour of New Zealand.

https://www.insidesport.in/psl-2023...or-test-return-for-newzealand-tour-check-out/

 

[Saj]

Sarfaraz Ahmed in at number 8 today.

What is going on with these guys.

 

[Rana]

Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is set to miss the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League as Sri Lankan Cricket Board has not granted him NOC. The Lankan spinner was drafted by Quetta Gladiators for season eight of PSL, and the team was expecting his arrival on Monday. However, SLC have asked him to focus playing on first-class cricket. The leg spinner will also return to the Lankan side for the Test tour of New Zealand.

https://www.insidesport.in/psl-2023...or-test-return-for-newzealand-tour-check-out/

What nonsense!?

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Issues w/ Quetta:

1)They start the game playing w/ ten men. Bangalzai just isn’t a T20 player. I appreciate Quetta giving a Baloch lad an opportunity, but that pick should have been Basit Ali.

2) Roy, despite his score today, is out of form. Guptill is also semi-washed.

3) Nawaz is having a BAD tournament.

4) Iftimania hasn’t fully taken hold. He’s a good player, but not somebody you can rely on.

5) Qais is an OK player, but nothing special.

I think the one positive that Quetta have had, is that Sarfaraz has captained well on-field. In previous years, he actively took away from the side.

The Hasaranga loss is an issue, but it’s not all over yet.

I think they should go with the following line up:

Guptil/Smeed
Saud Shakeel
Roy
Hafeez
Ifti
Sarfi
Odean
Hasnain
Nawaz
Aimal Khan (emerging)
Naveen ul Haq

Ifti and Saud can make up the 6th bowler overs

 

[Maher96]

The emerging lad has been poorly managed. Nobody in this team knows where they are playing. They got through with vibes when Viv was there… now the vibes are also gone. Before the tournament you would have thought they would do well but it’s been as bad as it could be. Nothing is lost however, being a 6 team tournament it’s always likely you could have a shocker but still qualify.

 

[MenInG]

Sarfaraz not happy with the Hasaranga situation

"The negative for us is the fact that the player we were all depending upon, Wanindu Hasaranga, has not come as he did not get his NOC from SLC; This has a huge effect on the team composition because if a key player that you are depending upon does not come then the whole balance of the team gets effected, so this is causing us a lot of problems"

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Sarfaraz not happy with the Hasaranga situation

"The negative for us is the fact that the player we were all depending upon, Wanindu Hasaranga, has not come as he did not get his NOC from SLC; This has a huge effect on the team composition because if a key player that you are depending upon does not come then the whole balance of the team gets effected, so this is causing us a lot of problems"

I think he has a right to be cross. It’s a nonsense move from SLC, especially given how facilitative the PCB have been towards SLC, when SLC were having their own issues.

 

[Rana]

Did Pakistan refuse NOC’s of players in the SL PL?

 

[MenInG]

Did Pakistan refuse NOC’s of players in the SL PL?

As per reports, SLC want to manage Hasaranga's workload

 

[shamaan]

Why isn't Will Smeed in this xi ?

 

[zacattakk]

As per reports, SLC want to manage Hasaranga's workload

Then they should have made that clear months ago, not suddenly denying the NOC once the tournament he signed for has already started! The PCB should diplomatically raise this with their SLC counterparts to avoid issues in the future.

 

[Saj]

Skipper needs to up his game.

62 runs off 62 balls in 4 innings so far.

That's simply not good enough.

 

[zarak]

Issues w/ Quetta:

1)They start the game playing w/ ten men. Bangalzai just isn’t a T20 player. I appreciate Quetta giving a Baloch lad an opportunity, but that pick should have been Basit Ali.

2) Roy, despite his score today, is out of form. Guptill is also semi-washed.

3) Nawaz is having a BAD tournament.

4) Iftimania hasn’t fully taken hold. He’s a good player, but not somebody you can rely on.

5) Qais is an OK player, but nothing special.

I think the one positive that Quetta have had, is that Sarfaraz has captained well on-field. In previous years, he actively took away from the side.

The Hasaranga loss is an issue, but it’s not all over yet.

I think they should go with the following line up:

Guptil/Smeed
Saud Shakeel
Roy
Hafeez
Ifti
Sarfi
Odean
Hasnain
Nawaz
Aimal Khan (emerging)
Naveen ul Haq

Ifti and Saud can make up the 6th bowler overs

Lol no Naseem. Why would you waste an overseas slot on Naveen when you have Naseem. Saud is a good idea.

 

[Saj]

What a shambles this lot have been so far.

Nadeem Omar needs to decide whether he wants QG to challenge for the PSL or continue to be a friends club.

 

[MenInG]

Umar Akmal keeping himself busy with tweets.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Believe in <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamQuetta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@teamquetta</a>, we have the potential to bounce back. 2nd leg of the group stage moves to Punjab, we will try to improve & get better results. Keep believing. A special mention for the great security given by SSU and all security agencies. Thank u Dr Maqsood and SSP Azhar <a href="https://t.co/6IYynxJwMe">pic.twitter.com/6IYynxJwMe</a></p>— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Umar96Akmal/status/1629396753211334657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

Shahid Afridi:

"On what basis have they included Umar Akmal in the team? Was his fitness up to the mark? These things show if the team was serious enough when they were picking the squad"

 

[MenInG]

Dwaine Pretorius, Naveen-ul-Haq and Najibullah Zadran have arrived and will practice with the squad this evening

 

[MenInG]

Najibullah Zadran replaces Jason Roy and Qais Ahmed confirmed as Wanindu Hasaranga’s replacement in Quetta Gladiators’ squad - Roy will rejoin QG on March 7

Quetta Gladiators have picked Yasir Khan as Supplementary pick.

 

[MenInG]

X-Rays have confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed does not have a fracture but he has severe swelling on the ring finger. He is in pain and his fitness for the next game will be judged by medical staff tomorrow (Match 25)

 

[Saj]

I wonder if today's result is the day that the QG owners and management realise that they can win without Sarfaraz and that they don't need him in the XI to win matches.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Mohammed Nawaz,
Ifti
Hasnain,
Naseem Shah,

Sarfraz
Saud Shakeel

The vast majority of that side have been the core of Pakistan squads for a long time. You through in Sarfraz and Saud who have recently played for Pakistan ( albeit in test cricket) and can through in Hafeez and Umar for good measure.

Lots of experience, many of them seemingly good enough for international cricket but they could barely cut it during the PSL.

Some serious introspection needed.

 

[Rana]

I believe QG have Kernal Zahid in their squad and he should replace Aimal Khan in the emerging category

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I believe QG have Kernal Zahid in their squad and he should replace Aimal Khan in the emerging category

They can’t play Karnal as emerging because he’s almost 29. You can only play over 23s as an emerging player, if they came through your talent hunt program.

Under 23s only can’t have played for Pakistan to be considered emerging.

That’s why Aimal will continue to play.