KARACHI: Pakistan Super League champions Quetta Gladiators’s players and officials recently visited Quetta city in an event leading up to the PSL 5 edition commencing in four cities of the country from Feb 20.

Ahmed Shehzad, Ahsan Ali, local player Abdul Nasir, team manager Azam Khan and media manager Nabeel Hashmi were greeted warmly by the the fans present on the occasion.

Addressing the charged up crowd, Ahmed who is a dashing player and has represented Pakistan in all the formats, said: “We’ve got a very balanced squad with match winners all around. I’m sure with guidance of our mentor Sir Viv, head coach Moin Khan and our skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Gladiators will win the PSL title again.”

Quetta Gladiators would start the defence of their title on Feb 20 against Islamabad United at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Opening batsman Ahmed, who played a vital role in Gladiators’ title-winning campaign last year, said the sort of love and reception he has received in Quetta on his visits is second to none. “The reception we got when we came with the PSL Trophy to Quetta is the highlight of my career because I have never ever seen such love and warmth,” said Ahmed “Even today the reception we got is simply amazing and we have received massive motivation from you guys which will help us to defend the PSL title.”

Meanwhile, Gladiators’ local pick Abdul Nasir shared that he is really excited to be part of Purple Force and he would try to do well if given the opportunity. “It’s a dream come true for me that I have been selected by Gladiators and I would be able to share the dressing with superstars like Shane Watson, Jason Roy, Ahmad Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Sir Vivian Richards, Moin Khan and Abdur Razzaq,” said an excited Nasir.

“Gladiators honoured my performances in their talent hunt and what I did in Ramzan tournaments while playing for Quetta. My selection would certainly give hope to other players of Balochistan that if I can be drafted in PSL then they also have a future with Quetta Gladiators,” added Nasir.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2020