Quetta Gladiators are reportedly considering a leadership change for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, signaling a potential departure of Sarfaraz Ahmed as the team’s captain.
While the final decision’s timeline remains uncertain, indications within the franchise lean towards replacing Sarfaraz, ending his eight-year tenure as the captain.
Initially declared as the captain during the PSL draft, subsequent alterations in leadership choices are not uncommon among franchises. The Gladiators have already witnessed changes in their coaching staff, including Moin Khan’s shift from head coach to the director’s role and the appointment of Shane Watson as the new coach. Moreover, Shaun Tait, the former Pakistan bowling coach, joins as the team’s fast-bowling coach.
These adjustments arrive at a crucial juncture for the Gladiators, aiming to reverse their declining performance. Once considered among the most consistent PSL sides, the team has faced a downward trend over the past four years, prompting strategic changes to uplift their standing in the league.
Sarfaraz Ahmed took charge as the Gladiators’ captain since the league’s inception in 2016. Under his leadership, the team reached the final and he later captained Pakistan to victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
Despite leading the Gladiators to the PSL title in 2019, a dip in performance led to his removal as Pakistan’s captain across all formats and eventually his exclusion from the national side.
However, the team’s performance has seen a notable decline since then, failing to reach the playoffs and consistently finishing at the bottom or second from the bottom over the last four years.
Presently, Sarfaraz is in Australia as part of Pakistan’s Test side, participating in the opening Test in Perth, which Australia convincingly won by 360 runs.
