According to a franchise official, the Quetta Gladiators have asked the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) technical committee to find a replacement for the versatile Shahid Afridi.
The Gladiators administration has asked the committee to allow Hassan Khan, a member of the team and former captain of the Pakistan U-19 team, to play for the team, according to Azam Khan, the franchise manager.
The request came after the second-round player’s coronavirus test came back negative, despite still being in self-isolation for another seven days.
In the continuous phase of Karachi, the Gladiators have three games left. They will face Multan Sultans on January 31, Islamabad United on February 3 and Lahore Qalandars on February 7. They have won one of the two matches they have played so far.
After briefly stepping out of the biosecure bubble for a medical on January 27, the former Pakistani and all-around Gladiators captain tested positive for covid.
Wasim Akram, the president of Karachi Kings, who tested positive for covid on January 25, has since tested negative and will play today’s game against Lahore Qalandars.
Vivian Richards arrives in Karachi
Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, a veteran West Indies cricketer and gladiator mentor, also arrived in Karachi.
After a three-day self-isolation period, Sir Viv Richards will join the Gladiators.
Richards expressed his excitement about returning to Pakistan in a message sent shortly after his arrival. He also congratulated the team on their strong start to PSL 2022.
“It’s great to know that you started on a very good note. Winning is always very important,” he said.
Richard once again congratulated the Gladiators and said he hopes to see the team members again soon.
On Saturday, Quetta Gladiators beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets in PSL 7.
