A team looking desperately to re-collect its lost image as a fearless and invincible side after being at the bottom of the table for the past 5 years, for this PSL 2024 Quetta Gladiators preview, they have undergone some serious changes this season. From new head coach Shane Watson to a new captain Rilee Rossouw, the purple force is without a doubt, aiming to get their hands on the “Orion Trophy” this time.
Trades and Retentions
It was a very happening trading season for Nadeem Omar’s team since it was going through an overall change in the squad. The players who were successfully retained are as follows:
- Sarfaraz Ahmed
- Muhammad Hasnain
- Jason Roy
- Will Smeed
- Wanindu Hasaranga
Among trades, Quetta was able to cash in its star bowler Naseem Shah with Pakistan national team sensations Muhammad Wasim Jr and Abrar Ahmed.
PSL 2024 Quetta Gladiators Preview: Squads
Acknowledging the mistake they made back in 2020 when they released Rilee Rossouw, Quetta not only brought him back, but in fact the South African will be leading the side in the ninth season of Pakistan Super League.
Working on their weaknesses from their previous seasons, Gladiators made sure to pick an experienced local star bowler who could lead the bowling line-up and guide the young guns in the squad as well in the form of Muhammad Amir and Sohail Khan.
Moreover, Omair Bin Yousuf got picked again after he impressed everyone during the couple of matches he played last season of the Pakistan Super League. Plus, Saud Shakeel has been picked again, this time having a very high chance of playing each and every match of Quetta’s this year’s PSL campaign as the left-handed star has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team.
Purples have also signed the likes of Sherfane Rutherford, and Usman Qadir this season as well, to strengthen the batting and bowling lineups in the team which seemed to be very scattered from the past few seasons of Pakistan Super League.
To prepare Sarafarzs’ backup, Quetta has picked the very talented Sajjad Ali from Peshawar who is known in the domestic market to be one of the most destructive wicket-keeper batsmen in the circuit. Plus, the young and highly rated prodigy Khawaja Nafay is also expected to join the team and open for them.
Possible Playing XI
- Khawaja Nafay
- Jason Roy
- Rilee Rossouw (C)
- Saud Shakeel (VC)
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk)
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Muhammad Wasim Jr
- Muhammad Amir
- Muhammad Hasnain
- Abrar Ahmed
Expectations
With a super-packed squad this time, having new looks all around, the purple force has pressed the refresh button, it seems like the team belonging to the city known as “The Fruit Garden of Pakistan” is all set to give its best and perform the same way they had performed in the seasons of 2016 till 2019. As for PSL 2024, Quetta Gladiators have clearly aimed to not go home without a trophy this time.
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