Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators appointed Shane Watson, the former Australian all-rounder, as their new head coach for the upcoming PSL 2024.
This is the first time Quetta Gladiators have changed their coach since the inception of Pakistan's T20 league. Shane Watson takes over from Moin Khan, who has been the coach for the past 8 years but is now promoted to the team director role.
The franchise said in a statement on X: “The Quetta Gladiators owner and the team management have decided to appoint Former Australian all-rounder and Gladiators’ best run-getter in the PSL Shane Watson as head coach of the team.
Watson had an illustrious career as an all-rounder for Australia, having won the WC in 2007 and 2015. Watson played a vital role in Gladiator's successful campaign in the PSL championship 2019.”
The decision has sparked speculation about a potential overhaul of the coaching staff, as the Gladiators failed to make it to the playoffs for four consecutive seasons in the PSL.
In the first four PSL seasons, Quetta Gladiators were the most consistent franchise, reaching the final three times and clinching the title in 2019.
Watson was a key player for the Gladiators from 2018 to 2020, as the Australian all-rounder played a key role in their success.
During Gladiators' PSL 2019 win, he emerged as the leading run scorer with 430 runs at an impressive strike rate of 143.81, earning him the Player-of-the-Tournament award.
Notably, the PSL Player Draft 2024 will take place at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on December 13. The list of overseas players who are available for the PSL 2024 has been revealed, and 254 international players have shown their interest.
