KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators, the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) two-time runners-up, inked a new three-year team sponsorship on Thursday as they bid to become champions when the third edition begins from Feb 22 in the UAE.

Head coach Moin Khan, the former Pakistan skipper, said luck deserted the Quetta franchise in the first two seasons when they lost the final against Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, respectively.

“But I can say with conviction, Quetta Gladiators will enter the upcoming tournament with a much stronger and well-balanced squad of players. And if luck is on our side, then we’ll be hard to beat,” Moin warned the rival teams. “As a coach, it’s great pleasure for me to be part of a brilliant unit of players, support staff and team management. I feel proud that our team is more of a family where each member is extremely supportive. The never-say-die attitude is our strength.

Our team will be stronger than before in third PSL, says Moin Khan

“Compare to first two years, I feel we have a better side this time with [national team skipper] Sarfraz Ahmed at the helm. And speaking of Sarfraz, I think we all need to support him despite Pakistan’s poor performance during the ODI series in New Zealand.

“He [Sarfraz] is the right man to lead Pakistan at next year’s World Cup in my opinion because he’s done well as a leader. Admittedly, there were few incidents on the New Zealand that got bad publicity. But it doesn’t mean that Sarfraz should not be leading the team. In the past such things happened but were resolved amicably.

“I’m sure Sarfraz will learn [from the mistakes] during this tour and become a better captain as far as handling of players is concern.”

Later, Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar and Ghias Khan, president of Engro Corporation, signed the agreement after which the brands of the sponsoring company will be prominently featured as part of the Quetta Gladiator’s team kit among other elements throughout the year.

Speaking on the occasion, Ghias said: “With over a hundred million viewers worldwide and a galaxy of national and international stars, the Pakistan Super League is the crown jewel of Pakistan sports which is why we are very excited to announce our association as official team sponsor of Quetta Gladiators.

“The Gladiators have consistently been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the PSL. They share our passion for winning and our love for putting the country on the map for the right reasons.”

Nadeem observed that the start of this relationship will provide true value of franchising in cricket.

“The franchise and the game in general, need the support of corporations and sponsoring partners to grow and become self-sustaining entities. We are beginning an exciting journey with Engro and are hoping to elevate the game’s reach and stature in Pakistan with their support,” Nadeem remarked.

“Beyond conventional sports sponsorship, their arm of support allows us to execute ideas that bridge the gap between cricket and the masses. This also was a founding goal of initiating the PSL and for us to invest in the league.”

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2018