Karachi: Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former captain of Quetta Gladiators, has been appointed as the team’s head coach, replacing Shane Watson. This marks a significant transition for Ahmed, who has been a central figure for the team since the inception of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2016.
According to a statement by Pakistan Super League, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s coaching role comes after a successful tenure as captain, during which he led the team to a PSL championship in 2019. Nadeem Omar, CEO of Quetta Gladiators, confirmed Ahmed’s new role at the PSL 2025 draft, underscoring the team’s strategy to rejuvenate its coaching staff and on-field tactics.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, currently serving as a mentor for the Pakistan Champions Cup, will assume his new coaching duties as per his existing contract, which allows him to coach in the PSL without receiving a salary from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during this period. His appointment as head coach is part of a broader restructuring within the team, which has also seen Moin Khan installed as the director and Saud Shakeel taking over as team captain.
Quetta Gladiators have been a consistent force in the PSL, noted for their strong performances in the league’s early years. However, since their 2019 championship win, they have struggled to replicate that success, qualifying for the playoffs only once in 2024. The management is keen on reversing this trend with strategic changes and experienced leadership.
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s record as a captain is notable, having led his team to runner-up finishes in the league’s first two editions and securing the title in 2019. His leadership saw Quetta Gladiators win 38 out of 80 matches during his tenure as captain. As a batsman, Ahmed has also been a prolific performer for the team, scoring 1,525 runs in 85 PSL matches, making him the highest run-scorer for the franchise.
With these changes, Quetta Gladiators aim to reclaim their position as a leading team in the PSL, banking on Sarfaraz Ahmed’s experience and leadership in his new coaching role.