Quetta Gladiators skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has said that Quetta Gladiators were depending on Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The 2019 champion suffered a massive blow on Tuesday as Sri Lankan cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the PSL 8 due to the non-issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his home board.
Hasaranga was drafted by Quetta Gladiators for PSL 2023 in the platinum category and the franchise was expecting his arrival by Monday [February 21].
However, the 25-year-old could not get the required NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to travel to Pakistan and participate in the league. He is currently busy playing first-class cricket in Sri Lanka.
After the 63-run loss against Lahore Qalandars, Sarfaraz said: "A top player we were depending on isn't coming as he didn't get a NOC. This is a big factor - if you build a team and a key player suddenly isn't able to come, your team balance is affected, so we're having to face quite a few problems right now."
Meanwhile, an official of Gladiators confirmed to Geo News that they are aware of Hasaranga’s unavailability and are exploring various options, including a replacement player.
The Gladiators have not been performing up to their best so far despite having a really impressive squad.
Despite having some top players, they lost three of the four games played and are currently placed in fourth position on the points table.
Put to bat first, Lahore Qalandars posted a mammoth 199-run target before restricting the Gladiators to 135-8 in 20 overs at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Tuesday.
In reply to the big target, the Gladiators couldn't find the momentum during the run-chase after Jason Roy's departure. They lost Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Mohammad Hafeez in quick succession.
Iftikhar's mistimed shot landed in the hands of Fakhar Zaman. He could score only six runs in 10 balls. Later, in the next over, Mohammad Nawaz (2) fell to Sikandar Raza. The left-handed batter skied his shot, which ended up in Kamran Ghulam's hands.
Next to walk off the field was veteran batter Hafeez, who also couldn't cross the fence as his skying shot was caught by the skipper Shaheen. The right-handed batter scored 25 runs in 22 balls.
After taking a blinder, Shaheen delivered with the ball, taking the wicket of Odean Smith, who misjudged a slow ball and was caught by Rashid.
In his last over, the skipper struck again as Qais Ahmed was dismissed after scoring nine runs.
Earlier, Martinn Guptill and Roy departed in quick succession after the two batters helped the Gladiators overcome an early setback against the Qalandars.
It took Rashid Khan only seven deliveries to strike for the defending champions as he bowled out Roy after the destructive batter scored 48 runs off 30 balls.
Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi gave the Qalandars an early breakthrough as he sent Abdul Wahid Bangalzai back to the pavilion after trapping him for an lbw.
The young batter, Bangalzai, was out for a golden duck.
Guptill and Roy helped the Gladiators overcome the early setback, putting on a partnership of 47 runs for the second wicket.
But Guptill was dismissed by all-rounder David Wiese after scoring 15 runs.
For the defending champions, Shaheen and Wiese claimed three wickets each, while Rashid and Raza took a scalp each.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed