In a post-match press conference after a victorious game against Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed defended his teammate Umar Akmal despite his consecutive batting failures in the ongoing PSL season 8.
According to Sarfaraz, Akmal is a highly skilled cricketer, and like any other player, he too can go through phases of poor performance. He believes that if Akmal spends a little more time on the crease, it will surely help the team.
“Umar Akmal is a very talented cricketer. Every player has to go through such good and bad phases. If he can spend a bit more time on the crease, it will definitely help us.”
Sarfaraz gave full credit to his fast bowlers, Naseem and Hasnain, for their exceptional bowling performance in the death overs that helped shift the game’s momentum in favor of Quetta Gladiators. He stated that his team played superbly with both bat and ball in the last five overs of each inning.
“Credit goes to Naseem and Hasnain, the way they bowled 18th and 19th over. We played superbly with both bat and ball in the last five overs of each inning,”
Despite consecutive batting failures in the previous matches, the Gladiators’ captain trusts his batting combination and is reluctant to make any significant changes to the team.
He firmly believes that his top-order is known for playing aggressive cricket, and the team has given them a plan based on their strengths. He also expressed his confidence in players like Jason Roy and others to make a comeback in the upcoming matches.
“Out top-order is known for playing aggressive cricket. We have given them the plan according to their strengths. As you all know, the way Jason Roy played last year. He and others will definitely make a comeback in the upcoming matches,”
It is pertinent to mention that Quetta Gladiators will take on Peshawar Zalmi on Monday at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
