Quetta Gladiators has confirmed that their head coach, Shane Watson, will not be available for the PSL 10. The announcement comes as a result of the revised PSL schedule, which was adjusted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to accommodate the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
In an official statement read:
Quetta Gladiators head coach Shane Watson will not be able to continue as head coach with the franchise for the HBL PSL season 10 as the league’s window got changed, which will be affecting his pre-signed long-term agreements.
Shane Watson has been a pivotal figure for the Gladiators, both as a player and as a coach. The franchise highlighted his contributions in their statement, calling him a “lucky charm” for the team.
“Watson has been a very lucky charm for the franchise as the Gladiators won the PSL title when he came to Pakistan as a player, while QG qualified for the play-off stage after a wait of four long years as soon as Watson took charge of the team,” the statement added.
Watson’s association with the Gladiators began during his playing days, where he played a crucial role in their maiden PSL title win in 2019. His transition to the coaching role brought renewed energy to the team, helping them reach the playoffs in PSL 9 after a prolonged dry spell.
Quetta Gladiators’ owner, Nadeem Omar, expressed his gratitude for Watson’s contributions, emphasizing the lasting impact he has had on the franchise.
“Quetta Gladiators will always be indebted to Shane Watson for his outstanding contribution both as a player and head coach,” said Omar. He further added, “The Gladiators are known throughout the world because of certain superstars who have represented our franchise, and Shane is on top of that list.”
Watson’s departure has fueled speculation about his replacement, with reports suggesting that former Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to take over the coaching reins. Sarfaraz, who went unpicked in the PSL 10 player draft held in Lahore on Monday, is reportedly the franchise’s top choice for the role.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, sources claim that Sarfaraz’s appointment is all but confirmed.