Saud aims to carry his first-class form into PSL 9
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators vice-captain and left-handed test batsman Saud Shakeel on Wednesday said that he would try his level best to carry his first-class cricket form into the HBL PSL 9.
“We have been preparing for the last two days. Yesterday we practiced indoor and today we are training here in the open. As a professional player you get ready for everything. Although I am coming from the first-class season where I have done well and inshaAllah I will try to deliver here also,” Saud told reporters here on the sideline of the Quetta Gladiators’ training session here at the LCCA Ground.
Saud recently hit two centuries in just two games he played for the SNGPL in the President’s Trophy which eventually SNGPL won by crushing WAPDA in the final in Pindi.
Asked by this correspondent that skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s removal was highly unceremonious and a sort of disrespect for a player of his caliber Saud said that such things are in the hands of the owners and he cannot give any answer.
“I think it’s totally the decision of the owners,” Saud said.
“Sarfaraz is our senior and he treats us as brothers and I think his role will be the same. He will do the sort of chip in which he used to do. Rilee Rossouw, the new Gladiators captain, plays leagues around the world, knows how to gell the side and it is hoped that he will make a good combination as soon as possible so that we could benefit of it,” said Saud, the test cricketer.
Responding to a question about Mohammad Amir, Saud said that his presence will help Gladiators.
“He is a world-class bowler and his presence will help our team. He has been playing leagues around the world and is delivering,” Saud said.
Asked whether he feels any pressure after being named as vice-captain Saud said he does not take any such pressure.
“If I have led the side at any stage so I enjoyed it and whatever role will be given we will look into it,” he said.
Saud said that they don’t think about the past and are fully focused on this season.
“We will try to form a good combination and carry it,” he said.
Quetta Gladiators, the 2019 edition’s champions, will face Peshawar Zalmi in their opener on Sunday here at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.