Quetta Gladiators star batter Will Smeed has said the Purple Force could go all the way and win the title in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
During the players' retention in November 2022, the Gladiators retained Smeed in the Silver category.
In a video shared by the Gladiators on their official Twitter handle, Smeed said playing in the PSL last year was amazing for his career.
"I am absolutely buzzing to be joining back up with Quetta Gladiators. I think playing in the PSL last year was amazing for my career, and I am buzzing to get there," he said.
"I think we have assembled a very good team. I genuinely think we can go all the way this year. See you all soon, Purple Force," he added.
It is worth mentioning here that Smeed surprised everyone by showcasing his talent and brute force in the first match for Gladiators during PSL 7.
The 21-year-old was flawless in Gladiators' inaugural match against Peshawar Zalmi on 28 January at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi. The young gun scored a quick 62-ball 97, smashing 11 boundaries and four massive sixes.
Smeed scored 240 runs in six matches during PSL 7.
Earlier, New Zealand star batter Martin Guptill said he was excited to be playing to play in front of the amazing fans of Pakistan for the first time in his career.
"I cannot wait to experience the love and warmth of Pakistani fans in jam-packed stadiums," Guptill said.
Meanwhile, Smeed's compatriot and destructive batter Jason Roy also hoped this would be the Gladiators' year.
"We have got a very good squad, coaches, and backroom staff. Let's hope it's our year, and we can get that trophy," he said.
The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side will kick off their PSL campaign against 2022 runners-up Multan Sultans at the Multan Cricket Stadium on February 15.
The opening ceremony of PSL 8 will be held in Multan on February 13 prior to the tournament opener between 2021 winners Multan Sultans and defending champions Lahore Qalandars; meanwhile, the closing ceremony and final will be played on March 19 in Lahore, which will also host play-offs.
Rawalpindi will stage 11 fixtures, Karachi and Lahore will host nine matches each, whereas Multan will have five home games.
Quetta Gladiators 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 Ahmad, Saud Shakeel
Partial replacements: Dwaine Pretorius, Will Jacks and Nuwan Thushara