Quetta Gladiators PSL 2025 Squad Analysis: Can Saud Shakeel Bring Back 2019 Glory Days?

Saud Shakeel with PSL Trophy (Source:@Faizanali_152/X.com)

It is time for the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League and with a blockbuster draft ahead of the season, all teams would be coming with a re-energised arsenal this time around. There would be 34 matches across four venues, and expect some exciting action with great blend of Pakistan and overseas superstars.

One of the the six teams is Quetta Gladiators. The champions of the 2019 edition, have a new captain this time around with Saud Shakeel taking over the leadership role from Rilee Rossouw. They made it to the Eliminator last time around, and would be looking to go full distance this around. So, ahead of the season, let's dive deeper into their squad.

Quetta Gladiators PSL 2025 Squad

Saud Shakeel (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Abrar Ahmad, Mohammad Amir, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Tariq, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Zeeshan, Danish Aziz, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sean Abbott, Kyle Jamieson, Hasan Nawaz, Shoaib Malik

Quetta Gladiators Strengths

Plethora Of Options In Both Batting And Bowling Departments

Quetta Gladiators have put together a strong squad and there is depth in both batting and bowling department. Saud Shakeel who is known for his consistency will bat at the top of the order and will have youngster Hasan Nawaz alongside him, who impressed with a century against the Kiwis recently. 

Quetta Gladiators Batters In T20s

However, there are options like Kusal Mendis, Finn Allen, Haseebullah Khan, Khawaja Nafay all can bat at the top if needed. Also, the middle order has experience with likes of Rossouw, Shoaib Malik and Chapaman to name a few while the bowling arsenal too have back-up options if injury happens to bowlers like Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

International Experience

The other big strength of Quetta Gladiators this season is the international experience they have at their disposal. The strongest XI that they will field is likely to have all 11 players with international experience while some of them like Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir, Rilee Rossouw, Faheem Ashraf have been around for more than a decade.

Numbers Of T20 matches Played

Most of their players have played franchise cricket all over the globe, and that experience if all set to help Quetta this time around.

Quetta Gladiators Weaknesses

Team Loaded With Openers

The weakness that can be seen in their squad is that they have loaded their team with top-order batters. The likes of Kusal Mendis, Finn Allen, Haseebullah Khan, Khawaja Nafay all open in T20s along with Saud Shakeel and Hasan Nawaz, and some of them would have to bat out of their position in the upcoming edition.

This could affect the stability of the batting order and might hamper their chances if some of their key middle order batters fail to deliver.

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Opportunity For Quetta Gladiators 

Saud Shakeel To Prove His Captaincy Credentials

The season is an opportunity for Saud Shakeel to prove his leadership credentials. He is currently the vice-captain of the Pakistan Test side and a good performance as a captain in PSL could boost his chances of leading his nation in future.

Saud Shakeel's Captaincy Record In T20s

Also, as there are plenty of experienced players in Quetta line-up, it would be a be interesting to see how Saud Shakeel manage them and help team gell as a unit.

Threat For Quetta Gladiators

Key Players At The Fag End Of Their Career

Quetta has experience in their arsenal, but some of them are at the fag end of their career, and that might lead to problems if they fail to deliver to their billing. The likes of Shoaib Malik, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Amir don't play international cricket anymore and given the competitiveness of the PSL, they could find it tough to straightaway deliver like their golden days.

Quetta Gladiators' Probable Starting XI For PSL 2025

Saud Shakeel (C), Hasan Nawaz, Kusal Mendis (WK), Rilee Rossouw, Shoaib Malik, Mark Chapman,  Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sean Abbott, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir

Quetta Gladiators Team Rating

Quetta Gladiators Expected finish

Quetta Gladiators have a quality arsenal at their disposal and many of their players know how to go about their business in a long franchise tournament. It makes them one of the team to watch out and we can expect them to at least make it to the playoffs if not the finale.

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