Sarfaraz hides behind Hasaranga’s excuse after dismal show by Gladiators

LAHORE 22 Feb (Online): Quetta Gladiators captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, has resorted to excuses after his side’s another dismal display in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Lahore Qalandars decimated Quetta Gladiators by 63 runs on Tuesday, after the Sarfaraz-led side failed to put a decent show in any department of the game.

While speaking in a post-match interview, Sarfaraz said that their plans have been greatly disrupted by the absence of their platinum pick this season, Wanindu Hasaranga.

“A top player [Hasaranga] we were depending on isn’t coming as he didn’t get an NOC. This is a big factor – if you build a team and a key player suddenly isn’t able to come, your team balance is affected, so we’re having to face quite a few problems right now,” Sarfaraz said.

WATCH: Shaheen Afridi puts on an exhibition of searing yorkers
The Sri Lankan all-rounder has been denied NOC by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the marquee league.

Hasaranga was partially available for Gladiators. He was supposed to play in six games before leaving on March 3. However, the Gladiators have now confirmed that he won’t be joining the side and they are looking for a replacement player.

A week before the tournament as well, Quetta captain, in an interview with Cricket Pakistan, had said that Hasaranga’s availability for the whole season will be important for them.

“As far as foreigners are concerned, Hasaranga is an important addition to our side. He is the number one spinner in the world, so we selected him as our first pick. If he is available for us from the first game, then it will be really good for us,” Sarfaraz said.

Sarfaraz, in the aforementioned post-match interview, also said that they are not getting ideal start from their openers in the powerplay, which is pegging them back.

“We conceded a few more runs than what we wanted. Our powerplay starts haven’t been good either. Pitch was good for batters and they were able to play their strokes. Roy is a top player and it is important that he’s scoring now. We will have a conversation with boys about how to go ahead in the tournament,” he concluded.

Gladiators have now lost three out of their first four games and are now at the bottom of the points table.