KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar has requested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to not put players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft next time who would not want to come to Pakistan to play in PSL matches.
Quetta Gladiators is one of the most successful franchises in the tournament. It’s a common wisdom that last year in PSL summit clash in Lahore, Peshawar Zalmi had an edge against opponent Gladiators because later teams’ foreign players didn’t come to Pakistan for the important match.
“PCB should not put foreign players in the draft (next time), who are not willing to come to Pakistan. Otherwise, it will be difficult for franchises to carry on like this,” said Nadeem Omar.Gladiators have qualified for Eliminator 1, which will be a replica of last year’s final, as they face Peshawar Zalmi on March 20 in Lahore.
Australian player Shane Watson had earlier consented to come to Pakistan incase Gladiators qualify for knockouts but now he has retracted from his commitment citing family pressure.Earlier, Gladiators coach and former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has also criticized foreign players for their reluctance to come to Pakistan and has asked the board not to consider such players in PSL draft next time.
Nadeem Omar has said that if such foreign players were not considered for PSL draft and subsequently not play some matches, it would not in any way affect PSL, which has become a big brand.
He added that Gladiators continue to fight till the end and previously it came from above but now, it will come from behind.
