Quetta Gladiators remained one of the most successful franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during first four seasons. They won the PSL title in 2019 but haven’t been able to live up to expectations since then.
From 2020 to 2022, Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Gladiators failed to qualify even for the playoffs.
With PSL 8 just around the corner, Gladiators would be looking to make a strong comeback in the new edition of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s marquee event.
Strengths
Gladiators' biggest strength is their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed who is still one of the cleverest skippers in Pakistan's cricket circle. The winning captain of two ICC events, Sarfaraz has been leading Gladiators since the first season. Under him, the Gladiators won the glittering trophy in 2019 and has already started PSL 8 season on a winning note after beating Peshawar Zalmi in first-of-its-kind exhibition match in Quetta.
Iftikhar Ahmed's unbelievable form is another positive in Gladiators' camp, who will start their PSL 8 campaign against Multan Sultans on their home ground on February 15. Iftikhar had a phenomenal Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season where he also smashed his maiden T20 hundred. On last Sunday in the exhibition match, he struck Wahab Riaz for six maximums in an over.
Young and talented pacer Naseem Shah will be leading Gladiators' bowling line. The young gun proved himself as a potential bowler in white-ball format after displaying his skills in T20 Asia Cup, last year, and later in T20 World Cup 2022 too.
Weaknesses
Gladiators don’t have someone to anchor the innings as they mostly have hitters at the top in their batting line. They have four batters Jason Roy, Martin Guptill, Ahsan Ali and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai who are natural openers. Also, their playing style, which is to hit the ball hard, is quite similar.
If they lose early wickets, they will find it difficult to build their innings until Sarfaraz himself comes in or Umar Akmal takes that anchor role responsibility.
Finishing positions in previous seasons
Quetta Gladiators qualified for the playoffs in all PSL seasons till 2019. They played three PSL finals - in 2016 against Islamabad United (lost), against Peshawar Zalmi in 2017 (lost) and against Zalmi in 2019 (won).
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)
Probable lineup
Jason Roy, Martin Guptill, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Umar Akmal, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Wanindu Hasaranga, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah.
Fixtures
15 Feb: Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators
18 Feb: Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators
20 Feb: Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi
21 Feb: Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars
24 Feb: Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United,
2 March: Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators
5 March: Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators
6 March: Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings
8 March: Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
11 March: Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans
Muzamil Asif