Quetta Gladiators have struggled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 so far. The owner of the franchise, Nadeem Omar is of the view that a tiring schedule has mainly contributed to the below-par performance of Quetta.
The defending champions have been able to win only three of the eight matches they have played so far. As a result, they are at the bottom of the table and are now facing a massive challenge for reaching the playoffs.
Quetta’s hectic travel schedule!
Nadeem Omar has described the travel schedule of PSL as “unfair”. He stated: “We have been airborne most of the time with other teams getting ample rest in between games. We have no home ground. But a temporary home ground could have been allotted at one of the host cities of Karachi, Lahore, Multan or Rawalpindi. Frequent travel, insufficient rest and practice opportunities have reflected on the team’s performance which was better in the first phase when it was in Karachi.”
Source: Geo
Quetta had won two of their opening three matches in Karachi. However, after running out victorious in their first game in Rawalpindi, Quetta’s next three games required them to go to Multan and Lahore before they had to return to Rawalpindi in six days.
Defending champions struggling to reach the semis!
They played their last game in Lahore on Saturday. Quetta will play their next game against Multan Sultans on Wednesday. The Gladiators then will play their final game of the round-robin in Karachi against Karachi Kings on Sunday.
When Nadeem was asked why Quetta did not raise these issues before the season had started, he said their protests were in vain.
The Gladiators’ owner said their supporters are heartbroken. He also said that some supporters through they were offering excuses. But he thought for the family of supporters they need to know the truth. He said, “Quetta is still fighting and need prayers, the Gladiators will rise with your support.”
Source: Geo
A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official, meanwhile, said Gladiators’ tough schedule was down to a lot of reasonable issues.
The official said: “The entire PSL in Pakistan was a large scale challenge. Matters will definitely improve in the future. Availability of venues, aircraft tickets, accommodation and host of other logistical issues were there. The concerns raised by the Gladiators weren’t dismissed outright. The board tried its best to manage it as amicably as possible.”
