KARACHI: The Galle Gladiators have announced former Pakistan Captain and star player Shahid Afridi as their captain for the first edition of Lanka Premier League (LPL) which will be played from November 26 to December 16 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Galle Gladiators had initially planned to name Sarfaraz Ahmad, who also leads Quetta Gladiators, as their skipper but he has left with Pakistan team for their tour of New Zealand.

Afridi, who was recently in action for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) play-offs has been named as the captain while Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be the vice captain of the side.

Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar said he is delig­hted that Afridi has accepted the role of being the leader. “Afridi is a global superstar and a great leader and he is the perfect choice to lead Galle Gladiators in LPL,” said Nadeem. “I trust that he will be able to help us fight for the title and win it.”

Gladiators have replaced Sarfaraz Ahmad with young Pakistan batsman Ahsan Ali while West Indian batsman Chadwick Walton has come in as replacement of South African Colin Ingram who went to play Big Bash.

Gladiators have also signed Quetta’s Abdul Nasir to promote the talent for the region and fast-bowler Waqas Maqsood as 21st and 22nd players respectively in the squad.

Gladiators will open their campaign on November 27 against Jaffna Stallions.

Squad: Shahid Afridi (Captain), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Vice-Captain), Lasith Malinga, Mohammad Amir, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Akila Dhananjaya, Milinda Siriwardena, Hazratullah Zazai, Ahsaan Ali, Azam Khan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Lakshan Sandakan, Asitha Fernando, Chadwick Walton, Mohammad Shiraz, Nuwan Thushara, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chanaka Ruwansiri, Sahan Arachchi, Duwindu Tilkaratne, Abdul Nasir and Waqas Maqsood.

Team Management: Wasim Akram (Mentor), Moin Khan (Head Coach), Upul Chandana (Assistant Coach), Azam Khan (Team Manager), Nabeel Hashmi (Media Manager).

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2020