Pakistan Super League 8: Team Analysis - Quetta Gladiators

image-le4qkm6kSource: Twitter (Quetta Gladiators)

The eighth edition of Pakistan Super League is on a sway and it's time to get an overlook on the freshly prepared squads. We have covered the team analysis of every other teams and now it's time to check on the Quetta Gladiators.

The Nadeem Omar-owned franchise finished at the second last position in the points table last season. They had secured eight points from 10 matches and had lost six of them.

The Gladiators became the champions in the 2019 season and ended up as the runners-up during the 2016 and 2017 version. The side had worrisome times in the last three years after they failed to qualify for the playoffs. 

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But do they possess a formidable squad to clinch their second title? We shall get to known through after deep dive.


History of Quetta Gladiators

  • Champions in 2019
  • Win Percentage: 50%

Quetta Gladiators Squad 

Jason Roy, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c/wk), Mohammad Hasnain, Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Ahsan Ali, Aimal Khan, Will Jacks, Saud Shakeel, Martin Guptill, Omair Yousuf, Abdul Bangalzai, Muhammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Odean Smith, Dwaine Pretorius, Mohammed Hafeez, Naseem Shah, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Zahid, Qais Ahmad, Nuwan Thushara

Now let us fragment the squad into their roles and responsibilities.


Quetta Gladiators

Batters: Jason Roy, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Ahsan Ali, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Yousuf, Will Jacks, Saud Shakeel, Abdul Bangalzai

All-rounders: Muhammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Odean Smith, Dwaine Pretorius, Mohammed Hafeez

Bowlers: Mohammad Hasnain, Naveen ul-Haq, Naseem Shah, Umaid Asif, Mohammad Zahid, Qais Ahmad, Nuwan Thushara

Let us now look at the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats of the Gladiators.


Strengths

  1. An array of Power-hitters: The Quetta-based franchise has plenty of power hitters in their ranks. On their day, the presence of Iftikhar Ahmed, Will Jacks, Will Smeed, Odean Smith and Wanindu Hasaranga can cause huge turmoil in the bowler's mind.
  2. Lethal pace-attack: One of the plus points of the Quetta-based franchise is the fearsome pace bowling attack they possess. The likes of Naseem Shah, Naveen ul-Haq, Mohammed Hasnain and Dwaine Pretorious can be a great threat. In addition, Odean Smith and Nuwan Thushara could get a pat on the back. They have bowlers who can deliver at all the phases of a game.

Weakness 

  1. A shilly-shally top order: The Gladiators posses openers who have the knack of getting out in a careless manner. It is hard to remember a good consistent run in Guptill's career. Also, Jason Roy was touch and go in recent times, barring a top knock against South Africa in the ODIs. The likes of Will Smeed or Umar Akmal could be given an opportunity but 'inconsistency' is the word that best describes them.

Opportunities

  1. Youth and Experience: Sarfaraz Ahmed's army is built up with a good use of yputh and experience. Young and promising players like Abdul Bangalzai (who hit a FC century in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy) can get a lot to learn. Players like Saud Shakeel, Omair Yousuf will get the chance to learn from the best and be a part of intense clashes.

Threats

  1. Presence of injury-prone players: One of the worrysome factors for the Gladiators would be to manage the workload of the players. Dwaine Pretorius, Naseem Shah and Jason Roy have a history of injuries that hampered the stability of the team. The management needs to be careful while using a certain set of players.