Confident of winning the PSL title for people of Balochistan: Sarfraz Ahmed

The 2018 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is nearing the business end of the tournament. The Quetta Gladiators, who have been the most consistent side in the tournament history, look set to enter the playoffs yet again. Their skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed, is keen on winning the tournament this time around. Last year, the Gladiators had lost the finals against the Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore.

As per the recent quotes in Khaleej Times, Sarfraz Ahmed remarked that the team is keen on winning the title for the people of Balochistan. The province has been brutally terrorized in the recent times. Sarfraz rightly cited that the team is aiming to enter the playoffs and once they do that, they will think about the finals. Also, he hopes to give some joy to the people of the terror-affected state.

“Quetta reached the final in previous two editions of the PSL but failed to cross the final hurdle. First we will try to qualify for the play-offs and then think of reaching the final. The team is confident of winning the title this time for the people of Balochistan,” Sarfraz Ahmed quoted.

“The security situation has improved tremendously in Balochistan and Sadiq Sanjrani was elected Chairman of Senate (upper house) on Monday. We want to give another good news to people of the region by winning the title on March 25. If we win, it will be a great news for the less developed area of Pakistan and the owners of Quetta Gladiators have left no stone unturned to make it happen,” he added.

No divided loyalties

When asked about the feelings he would have to play in Karachi, his home town, but for the opposition team, Sarfraz Ahmed noted that his professionalism does not allow divided loyalties. Hence, he will give his best for his franchise, the Quetta Gladiators.

“I am from Karachi and I have played all my cricket in the city. Since I am representing Quetta, there is no question of divided loyalties. My priority will be to win for Quetta and I hope God will help us this time,” he noted.

On overseas players skipping the playoffs

Last year, the Gladiators looked set to lift the title. However, the overseas players of the franchise refused to tour Pakistan. Sarfraz Ahmed noted that this could be the case this time around as well. He admitted that such things do affect the preparations of the side but there is very little that the players can actually do about it.

“Unavailability of our top players in the last year final proved a big hurdle for the team. It was players’ decision and the management was helpless. The same could happen this year as well. I have no idea how the team officials could convince players to go to Pakistan. We can face the similar situation if we reach the knock-out stage of the tournament,” remarked the Pakistani skipper.

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