LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators on Saturday officially announced the names of foreign players that would be filling in for the much-anticipated Pakistan Super league (PSL) final against Peshawar Zalmi. According to the team’s media manager, these players include Anamul Haque from Bangladesh, Sean Ervine and Elton Chigumbura from Zimbabwe, and Morne Van Wik and Rayad Emerit from South Africa. Additionally, Aizaz Cheema from Pakistan has been added to the Quetta Gladiators squad to replace Umar Gul. Gladiators’ Sarfraz Ahmad, Asad Shafeeq, Hassaan Khan, Noor Ali and Mir Hamza have already reached Lahore.
“All eyes are on the new young players for tomorrow’s final. The country wants to see our young talent shine,” Sarfraz Ahmad, who captains the team, told reporters during their Saturday practice session. The final between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi is scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, March 5. Gladiators had qualified for the final after handing a solid defeat to Zalmi during the first playoff of the PSL’s knockout stage. In that match, the team’s squad had consisted of England’s Luke Wright, Kevin Peterson and Tymal Mills. After qualifying, all three had announced on Thursday that they will not be playing the final in Lahore. “It’s with a heavy heart I will not be coming to Lahore. I have a young family, and for me, a game of cricket is just not worth the risk,” Luke Wright said in a tweet.
Kevin Peteirson announced on Twitter that he’s going back to London to spend time with his family. Tymal Mills said that while he would not be taking part in the final, he will be following the game from home. South Africa’s Rilee Roussouw, who had at one point considered going to Lahore for the final, later said he would not be coming. “It’s with a sad heart that I must announce that I will not be taking part in the final,” he had written in a Twitter post.