Quetta Gladiators

Quetta Gladiators
کوئٹہ گلیڈی ایٹرز
Nickname(s): QG
League: Pakistan Super League
Captain: Sarfraz Ahmed
Coach: Moin Khan
City: Quetta
Colours:
Owner: Omer Associates
Founded: 2015
Official website: www.quettagladiators.com

Quetta Gladiators (Urdu: کوئٹہ گلیڈی ایٹرز‎ Balochi: Pashto: د کوېټې تورزنان‎) is a Pakistani professional Twenty20 cricket team that competes in Pakistan Super League. The team is based in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, Pakistan. The team was formed in 2015 as a result of the formation of the Pakistan Super League by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The team is currently captained by Sarfraz Ahmed and coached by former Pakistani cricketer Moin Khan. The Gladiators are owned by Omar Associates.[1]

Franchise history

In 2015, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the first inaugural season of Pakistan Super League will happen in February 2016. On 3 December 2015, the PCB unveiled the owners of all five city-based franchises, representing Quetta, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Islamabad. The Quetta franchise was sold to the Karachi-based company Omar Associates for US$11 Million.[2][3]

Team History

2016 Season


The Gladiators started their compaign with comfortable wins over Islamabad United and Karachi Kings before edging past Peshawar Zalmi in a closely fought match that went down to the last over.[4][5][6] However, the team's campaign suffered a setback in the match against Lahore Qalandars where they were comprehensively beaten by 63 runs as the Gladiator's imploded in the second highest run chase of the tournament (195 runs) after (202 runs) was imploded on Gladiator's by Qalandars again.[7]

In the second leg of the tournament, beginning in Sharjah, the Gladiators started off their campaign with a big win over Islamabad United. New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliott, who had just joined the team, proved instrumental in the win as he took 3 key wickets to restrict United to 117. The Gladiators chased down the target with almost four overs to spare. The win also took the team to the top of the table.[8] In the following game against Karachi Kings, the Gladiators were once again comfortable in their win - beating their opponents by 6 wickets. This victory also ensured that Quetta Gladiators were the first team to go through to the qualifying finals.[9] On their next outing, against Peshawar Zalmi, the Gladiators were comprehensively beaten by 8 wickets. However, despite being reduced to 66-9 by an overwhelming spell by Shahid Afridi, the team managed to get to 129. This was made possible by a world record last wicket stand of 63 between Grant Elliott and Zulfiqar Babar.[10] In their last match of the league stage, the Gladiators chased down the highest target of the tournament thus far (202) against Lahore Qalandars. Bismillah Khan, who was playing his debut innings in PSL and scored 55 from 30 and Mohammad Nabi whose 30 from 12 finished the game on the last ball of the match, were pivotal in the victory.[11] Gladiators were placed 2nd on the league table behind Peshawar Zalmi after winning 6 of their 8 matches and qualifying for the play-offs.[12]

The first qualifier of the inaugural Pakistan Super League was a nail-biting affair and came down to the last ball, with Quetta Gladiators holding their nerve to clinch one run win. Gladiators posted 133 thanks to Kevin Pietersen (53) well supported by Kumar Sangakkara (37) after disastrous start, in reply Peshawar Zalmi scoring 132 in their 20 Overs Darren Sammy's 38 from 29 could not save the team.[13]Zalmi were left needing eight runs from six balls; Gladiators required three wickets. A dot off the first ball of the over, bowled by Aizaz Cheema, tilted the contest further Quetta's way. However, Wahab Riaz seemed to emerge an unlikely hero for Zalmi, slamming the second ball - a low full toss outside off - over cow corner for four. He then proceeded to take a single. Three needed off three, and it was anybody's game. Cheema, though, drastically turned the fate of the match with his next two deliveries. First Hasan Ali was out caught and bowled. Then, Wahab swung wildly in an attempt to finish the game, but ended up skying the ball straight to Ahmed Shehzad at point. Cheema was on a hat-trick and Muhammad Asghar had the unenviable task of striking the last ball for at least three. Cheema did not get his hat-trick, but more importantly, Asghar was unable to put the bowler's rising short ball away; as a result Aizaz Cheema become hero for Gladiators and they qualified for the Final. Gladiator's Mohammad Nawaz for his 3 for 27 and 20 runs was judged man of the match (third time in PSL).[14]Gladiators finished runners-up in the inaugural HBL Pakistan Super League after they lost against Islamabad United in the final by six wickets.Misbah sent Gladiators to bat first,riding on the back of half-tons by Ahmed Shehzad (64) and Kumar Sangakkara (55), they scored 174-7 in their 20 overs.Andre Russell who finished the tournament as leading wicket-taker took 3 for 37 from 4 Overs.In reply Gladiators Started really badly as from United's Dwayne Smith (73) and Brad Haddin unbeaten 61 gelled to put up an 85 run partnership under pressure for the second wicket to help their team past the finishing line in 19th Over of the game.Ahmed Shehzad was the Leading run scorer with 290 from 10 matches while Mohammad Nawaz with 13 wickets from 10 matches was the leading wicket taker for the team.They won runners-up US$ 200,000 prize money.[15][16]

Player Performance

Gladiator's all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz was declared Man of the Match thrice in the first, seventh and Qualifier 1 matches.[17] His performance in the initial phase of the PSL resulted in a call-up to Pakistan's 2016 ICC World Twenty20 squad.[18]

Players

Quetta Gladiators followed suit with the bracketed regime set forth by PCB for the inaugural Pakistan Super League. According to it a team can get a maximum of 20 players in their side with a spending allowance of $1.1 million. Five categories were stipulated in order of decreasing player fees; platinum, diamond, gold, silver, and emerging.[19] Here are the Gladiator's 20 picks for the inaugural draft:[20]

Team identity

Team name and logo

The team name and the official logo were revealed on 6 Jan 2016 in Quetta during a ceremony held by team owner Nadeem Omar. The logo depicts a variant of the ancient Roman Galea helmet, worn by gladiators during their fights, at the center. The helmet is flanked by two bats that are poised as gladiatorial swords.[21]

Jersey Colour

The team's primary kit colours are Purple and Golden. The kit was revealed on 7 January 2016 in a launch ceremony held in Quetta.

Theme Song

The theme song of the team is Chaa Jaye Quetta, which is sung by Faakhir Mehmood and Faheem Allan Fakir, the son of acclaimed Sufi singer Allan Fakir.[22]

Team Ambassador

Star Singer Faakhir Mehmood was team's brand Ambassador in First edition of PSL.

Sponsors and Partners

Edenrobe, a Pakistani clothing company, is Quetta Gladiators' title sponsors for a tenure of 3 years.[23]Zong is their official communications partner. While PTV Sports is the official media partner of Quetta Gladiators' for a period of 3 years. Other sponsor deals are with Soneri Bank, ACM Gold (a South Africa-based financial brokerage house), and M1 City (a Karachi-based housing society).

Current squad

Kevin Pietersen is the icon player of Quetta Gladiators

Players with international caps are listed in bold.[24]

Name Nation Batting Style Bowling Style Notes
Batsmen
Ahmed Shehzad Pakistan Right-hand Right-arm Leg break
Kevin Pietersen England Right-hand Right-arm Off Break Overseas/First Pick
Asad Shafiq Pakistan Right-hand Right-arm Off break
Saad Nasim Pakistan Right-hand Right-arm Leg break
Rameez Raja Pakistan Right-hand Right-arm Off Break
All-rounders
Elton Chigumbura Zimbabwe Right-hand Right Arm Medium Fast Overseas
Luke Wright England Right-hand Right Arm Medium Fast Overseas
Akbar-ur-Rehman Pakistan Right-Hand Right Arm Leg Break
Bilal Asif Pakistan Right-Hand Right Arm Off Spin
Mohammad Nawaz Pakistan Right-hand Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Jason Holder Barbados Right-hand Right-arm Medium Fast Overseas
Thisara Perera Sri Lanka Right-hand Left-arm Medium Fast Overseas
Anwar Ali Pakistan Right-hand Right arm Fast medium
Grant Elliott New Zealand Right-hand Right-arm Fast Medium Overseas
Mohammad Nabi Afghanistan Right-hand Right-arm off spin Overseas
Wicket-keeper
Sarfraz Ahmed Pakistan Right-hand — Captain
Bismillah Khan Pakistan Right-hand —
Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka Left-hand — Overseas
Bowlers
Umar Gul Pakistan Right-hand Right-arm Fast
Aizaz Cheema Pakistan Right-hand Right-arm Fast
Zulfiqar Babar Pakistan Right-hand Slow Left-arm Orthodox
Jade Dernbach England Right-hand Right-arm Medium Fast Overseas
Nathan McCullum New Zealand Right-hand Right-arm off spin Overseas[25]

Management and coaching staff

Name Position
Nadeem Omar (Omar Associates) Owner
Antigua and Barbuda Sir Viv Richards Batting Coach/Mentor[26]
Pakistan Moin Khan Head Coach
England Ian Pont Assistant Coach/Bowling Coach
England Julien Fountain Fielding Coach

Captains

No. Nat Player From To Mat Won Lost tie NR %
1 Pakistan Sarfraz Ahmed 2016 - 10 7 3 0 0 70.00

Result Summary

Overall Result in PSL

Performance summary in Pakistan Super League
Year Pld Won Loss NR Tied SR(%) Position Summary
2016 10 7 3 0 0 70.00% 2ND Runners-up

Head-to-Head Record

[27]

Opposition Span Mat Won Lost Tied NR Success Rate
Islamabad United 2016–present 3 2 1 0 0 66.66%
Karachi Kings 2016–present 2 2 0 0 0 100.00%
Lahore Qalandars 2016–present 2 1 1 0 0 50.00%
Peshawar Zalmi 2016–present 3 2 1 0 0 66.66%

References

  1. ↑ "Pakistan Super League T20 in UAE seeks to rival India's IPL". Emirates 24/7. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Pakistan Super League: Seven Companies fight it out to buy franchises". Express tribune. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  3. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/1023293/pakistan-super-league-veil-lifts-from-quetta-gladiators//, Express Tribune, 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  4. ↑ http://geo.tv/latest/100885-Quetta-Gladiators-win-toss-elected-to-field-in-first-PSL-match/, ""Geo News"" 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  5. ↑ http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/live-psl-t20-quetta-gladiators-vs-karachi-kings-match-today/, DailyPakistan, 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  6. ↑ http://dawn.com/news/1237425/, ""Dawn News"" 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  7. ↑ "Umar Akmal's 40-ball 93 powers Lahore to big win". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Quetta Gladiators go top with big win". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Quetta thump Karachi to seal playoff spot". ESPN Cricinfo.
  10. ↑ "Afridi 5 for 7 sets up big Peshawar win". ESPN Cricinfo.
  11. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/1048014/live-lahore-qalandars-vs-quetta-gladiators/, Express Tribune 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  12. ↑ "Pakistan Super League, 2016 Points Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  13. ↑ http://espncricinfo.com/pakistan-super-league-2015-16/engine/current/match/959215.html/, ""ESPN CRICINFO"" 2016-02-18. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  14. ↑ "Quetta Gladiators through to PSL final after one-run win against Peshawar Zalmi". ESPN Cricinfo. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  15. ↑ http://espncricinfo.com/pakistan-super-league-2015-16/content/story/975697.html/, ""ESPN Cric Info"" 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
  16. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/1053169/islamabad-crowned-psl-champions/, ""Express Tribune"" 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
  17. ↑ Murtaza Abbas / Abdul Majid (February 7, 2016). "2016 PSL: Quetta beat Peshawar by three wickets in nail-biter". The Express Tribune. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Pakistan pick Manzoor, Raees for WT20". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "PSL 2016 Player Draft List" (PDF). Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "Quetta Gladiators Squad". QuettaGladiators.com. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "Pakistani Ultimate Media". Quetta Gladiators Release Official Anthem. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "Pakistani Ultimate Media". Quetta Gladiators Release Official Anthem. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Edenrobe has joined Quetta Gladiators as title sponsor". Twitter. Quetta Gladiators Official Twitter Account. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  24. ↑ http://sportsmaza.com/cricket/quetta-gladiators-team-squad/, Sports Maza, 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  25. ↑ http://dailytimes.com.pk/sport/18-Feb-2016/nathan-mccullum-replaces-nabi-in-gladiators/, ""Daily News"" 2016-02-22. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  26. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/1019611/1019611//, Express Tribune, 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  27. ↑ "PSL Points Table 2016". PSL T20. Retrieved 2016-02-07.

External links

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