Sarfaraz Ahmed (Source: @TeamQuetta/X.com)
Quetta Gladiators fans need not be upset anymore because veteran wicket-keeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed, despite going unpicked in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 draft, will be returning back to the league, albeit in a different capacity. Speculations are rife that he is likely to be appointed as the head coach of the franchise for the upcoming season.
Deal All But Confirmed?
Various media houses have reported the signing of Sarfaraz Ahmed as the new head coach of Quetta Gladiators after it was revealed that current head Shane Watson won't be joining for PSL 10 due to his personal commitments.
This news comes on the back of the PSL 10 draft that happened a day ago in Lahore, where franchises splurged money on various players but stayed away from the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning skipper.
In the previous edition of the PSL, he featured in six games and scored just 22 runs, summing up his dismal season with the bat, which could have been an outright reason for his elimination.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz has been a key figure for Quetta's side as he had led them right since the beginning of the league until he was sacked in 2023 in favour of South African Rilee Rossouw. During his tenure, Gladiators lifted the trophy once back in 2019, which remains their only title to date.
Also, the PSL 10 this year will simultaneously take place alongside the IPL in the April-May window, with exact dates and venues yet to be finalized.
Is Sarfaraz Ahmed Still Playing Cricket
The 37-year-old is at the dusk of his career with few opportunities in the recent past from the national side Pakistan, with the last of his appearances in any format coming in 2023 against Australia in a Test match at Perth. Therefore, he has only been featuring in domestic cricket recently until September 2024.