Quetta Gladiators provided an update on Friday about the availability of their foreign players ahead of season nine of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Quetta will play their first match against Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 18.
According to Quetta’s head of player acquisition Nabeel Hashmi, captain Rilee Rossouw along with Jason Roy, Sherfane Rutherford, Laurie Evans, Akeal Hosein and Will Smeed will be available for the first match.
However, there are still question marks over Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga's availability.
Hasaranga was supposed to play first five matches of PSL but scheduling of Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka series has meant that he would miss the first two matches. The spinner’s availability is curtailed to three matches but even that is looking unlikely now as Quetta continue to wait for his No Objection Certificate.
Meanwhile, mentor Sir Vivian Richards and bowling coach Shaun Tait have already touched down in Pakistan ahead of PSL 9.
The opening ceremony of PSL 9 will take place before the first match, between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Ali Zafar, Aima Baig, Arif Lohar and Noori will perform at the glittering opening ceremony. Meanwhile, fireworks and a laser show will also be part of the event.
Gates will swing open for spectators at 3:30 pm, with the ceremony kicking off at 6:30 pm.
Like the previous edition, the PSL 9 will take place in two legs with Multan Cricket Stadium and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting 14 matches between them from February 17 to 27. The action then moves to Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, where 16 matches will be held from February 28 to March 12. The event will then move to Karachi in its entirety for the playoffs.