Image Credit- PSL
The Quetta Gladiators are considering Sarfaraz Ahmed’s
potential as team captain. Although the exact timing of the decision is yet
unknown, sources believe that the team’s general view is that he should be
replaced after eight years in charge.
On PSL draft day, Sarfaraz was named captain of the
Gladiators. Although adjustments can be made thereafter, it is traditional for
franchises to declare their captain for the draft.
The team has already reorganised its backroom
personnel, most notably with the appointment of Moin Khan to a directorship
following his departure as head coach. Shane Watson, a former Gladiators
player, has taken his place as coach. The Gladiators, who had been the most
consistent PSL team for the previous four years, are looking to turn things
around. Former Pakistan bowling coach Shaun Tait has also been named the team’s
fast-bowling coach.
It is acknowledged that Watson will be asked to weigh
in on the matter. While specific details on a potential replacement are
unknown, Saud Shakeel, whose leadership is well-regarded in domestic circles,
and Rilee Rossouw, who rejoined Gladiators following a period with Multan
Sultans, are likely to be among the frontrunners.
Nadeem Omar, the owner of the Gladiators, stated
earlier this week on the Relukattay podcast that he is still
“double-minded” about replacing Sarfaraz as captain. When Sarfaraz
was fired as Pakistan captain, Omar criticised the PCB for doing the same,
saying that there was no desire to remove the only captain the team had ever
known. He claimed that Sarfaraz had even consented to give up the captaincy of
Gladiators if necessary, and that it “would be nicer” if he did it on
his own.
“It is the elephant in the room,” Omar said.
“Wherever I go, people ask me this. But our franchise is a bit different
from the others in the sense that we have a very intimate relationship with
these players. I understand cricketers have a shelf life, but I think over
Pakistan history, we tend to dump players unceremoniously.
“Sarfaraz has been off the boil over the last
couple of years. There are a lot of reasons for that – the way he was
unceremoniously ousted by the PCB didn’t help, especially when he had a few
more years. We won’t dump him unceremoniously. We haven’t decided yet, but
we’ll give him full honours. Sarfaraz told me he would be happy to step aside
if Quetta wants to make a change. We have a call with Shane Watson in a couple
of days, and then we’ll decide.”