Saud Shakeel To Lead Quetta Gladiators in PSL 10
Quetta Gladiators’ top-order batter Saud Shakeel is expected to assume the role of captain for the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Sources indicate that the franchise has decided to appoint the 29-year-old as captain to form a strong partnership with Moin Khan.
In a related development, the Gladiators announced last Wednesday that their head coach, Shane Watson, will not be available for PSL 10.
The franchise clarified that Watson’s unavailability is due to the rescheduling of the league’s window, a decision taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to accommodate the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
In a statement, the franchise said, “Quetta Gladiators’ head coach Shane Watson will not continue as head coach for HBL PSL season 10 due to the league’s rescheduled window, which conflicts with his pre-existing long-term agreements.”
The statement further noted, “Watson has been a lucky charm for the franchise. The Gladiators won the PSL title when he played for them in Pakistan, and the team reached the playoffs after a four-year gap under his leadership as head coach.”
The Gladiators won the PSL title when he joined as a player, and the team qualified for the playoffs after a four-year gap when Watson became head coach.
In light of Watson’s absence, it is reported that Moin Khan will step in as head coach for PSL 10.
Furthermore, there are discussions about Sarfaraz Ahmed potentially being given the responsibility of Director of Cricket for the Gladiators.
Sarfaraz, who is mentoring during the Champions Cup, may take on this new role, although during this period, he will not receive a salary from the PCB.
His connection with the Gladiators dates back to the league’s inception, and he has been a key figure in their success, leading the team to their sole PSL title in 2019.
During his time as captain, Sarfaraz played 86 matches, scoring 1,525 runs at an average of 29.32, including seven half-centuries. However, his leadership tenure ended in 2023 when he was replaced by South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw.
