Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of Quetta Gladiators, announced his unexpected resignation from his leadership position on Tuesday. While he has stepped down as captain, Sarfaraz will continue to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 as a wicketkeeper-batsman. It is reported that Sarfaraz’s decision was influenced by a suggestion from Shane Watson, the former Australian cricketer.
In the aftermath, Rilee Rossouw has been appointed the new captain of Quetta Gladiators, with Saud Shakeel taking on the role of vice-captain. The team is scheduled to play its opening match of the franchise against Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 18.
In related news, security arrangements for the ninth edition of the PSL were finalized on Tuesday. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Operations in Lahore, Ali Nasir Rizvi, disclosed that a total of 17,176 police personnel will be deployed across three districts for the duration of the event. The deployment includes 6,936 personnel in Lahore, 5,700 in Multan, and 4,538 in Rawalpindi, supplemented by three companies from the Pakistan Army to ensure the security of the event.
Security measures will be enhanced with the installation of jammers and aerial surveillance through helicopters. The teams participating in the PSL will be accorded the status of state guests, with strict security protocols overseeing their movements and the matches. Continuous monitoring will be provided by surveillance cameras, with additional cameras positioned along the teams’ routes and within the stadiums. Furthermore, 20 teams from the “Dolphin Force” will patrol these routes, ensuring the safety of players, officials, and spectators alike.
