PSL 2022 Team Preview: Quetta Gladiators

Introduction:

At the start of the Pakistan Super League journey, the most undermined team owned by Nadeem Omer and captained by the then-energetic captain of the Pakistan Cricket team – Sarfraz Ahmed, came up big on the inaugural season of PSL. They ended up being runner-ups of the inaugural season of PSL.

After two heartbreaking defeats in the final of the first two seasons, Gladiators were not looking like a force to reckon with, the addition of the fierce Jason Roy and versatile Shane Watson, many were predicting them to get hold of the prestigious PSL trophy finally. Still, it wasn’t meant to be, as the Gladiators crashed out of the playoffs.

After falling to the wrong side of the two finals in three years, Nadeem Omer had kept his faith in his camp as Sarfraz was still leading the side with Moin Khan in his dugout as the coach. Without any significant tweaks and Shane Waston at their disposal, who showed a remarkable performance throughout the tournament, this was the year Sarfraz’s side was going to fulfill their PSL destiny. With an eminence batting lineup, Quetta’s strength lay in chasing as they successfully chased down 7 out of 9 times; their batting proved to be Kryptonite to the opponent as they brushed aside Peshawar Zalmi twice, once in the playoffs and then again in the final to be crowned as the champion of HBL PSL IV.

Squad Overview

The Gladiators Squad consists of four foreign players, two from Afghanistan and two from England; unfortunately, both teams would be playing International Matches in the same period as the PSL. The call ups for Naveen Ul Haq and Noor Ahmer are most likely, although Noor Ahmed won’t miss more than 2-3 games, Naveen ul Haq has been ruled out for the entire PSL season, and the left-arm fast bowler – Luke Wood – from Lancashire has been called up as a replacement.

The best bit of business done by Quetta Gladiators in the Drafts was their decision to use the Wildcard, where they snatched James Faulkner from Lahore Qalandar. A perfect allrounder at the tail which also had been prolific with the ball for the Qalandars in the last season, who will surely miss the service of the Aussie. Gladiators will also avail the services of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shahid Khan Afridi this season.

With the bowl, Gladiators have the service of the experienced Sohail Tanveer. They have also got two speedsters in Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah. James Faulkner has got to be the beneficial addition as he will provide the depth and more bowling options.

Quetta has their trustworthy Mohammad Nawaz in the spinning department, who has been with them since the start of the PSL. To accompany him, they can offer Iftikhar Ahmer and Shahid Afridi to have a go. As we can see that the Purple Force isn’t short of a bowling option, but still, they might lack experience and expertise.

Strength

Power Hitters

Quetta Gladiators may miss Jason Roy and James Vince for the first few games, but they still have players like Iftikhar Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, and Faulkner that can change the game in a single over. The inclusion of the English Duo for the latter part of the PSL will prove to be ruthless as we all know what they are capable of.

All-Rounders

The Gladiators have gathered many who are proficient in doing unexpected things with either the ball or the bat. With players like Faulkner and Shahid Afridi, you can never count them out; Iftikhar Ahmad and Mohammad Nawaz would perfectly complement these two as we all have seen these twos in recent two series.

Weakness

Emerging Player

With the necessity of playing at least one emerging player, it would be difficult to choose one as both have no professional experience yet. Both of them were axed from the U-19 World Cup squad. It will be a tough decision for Sarfraz, as in T20, there is little to no margin of error.

Spinners

With the emergence of allrounders, other than Nawaz, they have no excellent spinner. Ashir Qureshi can bowl leg break, but it could prove to be costly to depend on him; Iftikhar Ahmed is not a full-time bowler, and with the fitness issues of Shahid Afridi, it may all come down to Nawaz to see it through.

Quetta Gladiators Squad 2022

James Vince, Sarfaraz Ahmed (C), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Jason Roy, James Faulkner, Umar Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Ben Duckett, Khurram Shehzad, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Muhammad Ashar Qureshi, Noor Ahmad, Ahsan Ali, Luke Wood, Ghulam Mudassar, Will Smeed, Ali Imran and Shimron Hetmyer

Quetta Gladiators PSL 2022 Schedule

The Gladiators will be looking to make a strong statement this time around after having back-to-back mediocre seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Jan 28: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi

Jan 29: Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators

Jan 31: Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans

Feb 3: Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United

Feb 6: Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars

Feb 12: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators

Feb 13: Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators

Feb 15: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators

Feb 18: Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators

Feb 20: Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings