Ahead of HBL PSL 10, which is scheduled for the April–May window, the Quetta Gladiators, the former Pakistan Super League (PSL) winners, have named left-handed middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel as their new captain.
The franchise revealed an animated picture of Shakeel riding a horse while wearing the Gladiators’ vest on its official social media pages on Friday to make the announcement.
The caption read,
“Introducing the new Commander of the Gladiators, Saud Shakeel. With fresh energy and unshakable determination, he’s ready to lead Quetta Gladiators to glory in Pakistan Super League 10. The rise of the Gladiators begins now!”
The Gladiators, who are trying to rebuild following a poor showing in the previous PSL season, have changed their leadership approach with Shakeel’s arrival.
The squad, which won the PSL championship in 2019, thinks Shakeel is the best candidate to guide them into the next stage of their campaign because of his innovative style and on-field accomplishments.
Notably, Shakeel’s outstanding performance in the PSL 2024 solidified his position as a vital member of the Gladiators’ roster. With 323 runs in 10 games at a remarkable strike rate of 141.66 at the end of the season, including two half-centuries, he was listed as the tournament’s seventh-highest run scorer.
Rilee Rossouw of South Africa, who captained the Gladiators in PSL 2024 and guided them to their first playoffs visit in three years, is replaced by Shakeel. Nevertheless, the team’s playoff run ended without a final appearance, which led management to replace the team’s leadership.
After eight seasons in command, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who guided the Gladiators to their PSL championship in 2019, was replaced as captain last year. Sarfaraz remained the team’s wicketkeeper-batter even though he relinquished his position as captain.
In PSL 2024, Rossouw succeeded Sarfaraz, but the squad missed the final once more after a strong start. The Gladiators are excited to start over and aim for their second PSL championship in 2025 under Shakeel’s leadership.
