Sarfaraz Ahmed parts ways with Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Ahead of the upcoming 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), former Pakistan skipper and renowned batter Sarfaraz Ahmed on Sunday announced quitting Quetta Gladiators.

He made the announcement on microblogging website Instagram by sharing a picture of himself with franchise owner Nadeem Omar.

“Today I want to tell you that my time with Quetta Gladiators has come to an end and I feel very proud that my journey of 9 years with this amazing team has been wonderful and beautiful," wrote Sarfaraz.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Nadeem Bhai for giving me the opportunity to play for his team and for providing everything that I needed as a player and captain and I will always remember your support throughout this time.

“My best wishes will always be with your team and lastly I would like to thank your team management who have been great. Special thanks to Azam Bhai.”

Sarfaraz, who was associated with Quetta Gladiators since the inception of the league, was released by the former champions earlier this month and thus will be a part of the players draft for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2016.

The wicketkeeper batter played 86 PSL matches for the Gladiators and scored 1,525 runs at 29.32 with the help of seven half-centuries. He also led the Gladiators to their maiden and only PSL title in 2019.

Notably, Sarfaraz captained the Gladiators for eight PSL seasons until he was replaced by South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw in the previous edition.