Daily Times

KARACHI: Out-of-contention all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has been hired as an assistant coach for the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) by Quetta Gladiators. Razzaq will further boost Quetta’s management which comprises of 1992 World Cup winner for Pakistan Moin Khan (head coach) and West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards (mentor). He will replace former assistant coach Ian Pont who was a part of the team in the first edition. The 36-year-old has represented Pakistan in 46 Tests, 265 ODIs and 32 T20Is in which he scored combined 7,419 runs and took 389 wickets in a lustrous career. “I’m really excited to join Quetta Gladiators as assistant/bowling coach because this will be the start of a new phase in my life and what better team to start with,” Razzaq stated. “There comes a time when you have to step into coaching and management and it is a reality we must face. I want to thank Moin Khan and Nadeem Omar for showing trust in my abilities and I want to help the players as much as I can with my experience,” he added.

The all-rounder, who snatched victories for Pakistan from the jaws of defeat on a number of occasions, hopes to transfer his knowledge to the next generation. “Pakistan has given so much to me and now it’s time to give something back,” he said. “As a former player, it’s important to solve problems faced by players. Having Moin as head coach will certainly ease up my work because he is a great thinker and understands players’ mentality.” He added: “I hope Gladiators will do well in the second edition of PSL and I will try to make the little difference that I could. In the end, I’ll say that I can’t wait to start working with the team.”

Meanwhile, Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar said that Razzaq would certainly improve the team with his experience of being one of the best finishers of his generation. “Razzaq was a true match-winner of his generation and delivered on numerous occasions both with the bat and the ball. He will definitely help improve team’s all-round play,” said Omar. “We want to make Quetta the best team is PSL and Razzaq is the latest addition in our quest of the title. I would also like to thank Pont for his services and hope he does well in his life ahead,” he added.