Sarfaraz expresses excitement over new role with Gladiators

ISLAMABAD: Sarfaraz Ahmed, newly-appointed Team Director of Quetta Gladiators, Friday expressed his excitement over the new role, saying that he has served the team in different capacities and knows his job well.

Sarfaraz, former captain of the national Test side, led Pakistan to the ICC U19 World Cup title in 2006, the ICC Champions Trophy title in 2017, and later led the Gladiators to their maiden PSL title, beating Peshawar Zalmi by eight wickets in Karachi.

Having captained Gladiators for eight years and in a record 80 matches since the inception of PSL in 2016 and later as a player in the last edition of the league, Sarfaraz was recently appointed as Team Director of Quetta Gladiators.

Talking to PCB Digital on the sidelines of Quetta’s training at the LCCA Ground, Sarfaraz shed light on his new role, describing both the excitement and challenges it entails. He said: “It is an exciting role for me, and I am trying to learn as I have previously worked as a mentor in the two Champions Cup events for the team Dolphins.”

Quetta Gladiators -- the champions of the 2019 edition of PSL -- are currently placed in the fifth spot in the ongoing PSL X, having played three matches, winning one and losing two. “It’s not easy for a player to transition into a coaching role, especially after being involved as a player on the field, but over the time, you need to evolve your skillset and adapt to new responsibilities. I have been with Quetta since the start of the PSL.”

When asked about the overseas players selected in the Player Draft, the former Test captain responded: “Unfortunately, we didn’t perform well over the last three years, but this time around, our picks are well suited for a T20 tournament. We have picked some great overseas players and are hopeful to perform well in this season.”

Commenting on the young and sensational Hasan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay, he said: “Hasan Nawaz is a promising player and this is an opportunity for him to enhance his skills in the league and play for the country. Khawaja Nafay is another young player, who was picked in the Emerging category last year, and afterwards played in the most recent domestic season. This is also a chance for him to learn, which will help him grow as a cricketer.”