Former West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards is expected to return as a mentor to Quetta Gladiators in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Commenting on the development, team manager Azam Khan said that despite some issues with the visa process, they are hopeful that he will join the team soon.
“We have applied for Sir Viv Richards’ visa but there are some issues with the processing. However, we have filed all the necessary documents and are hopeful that he will join the side soon.”
“Sir Viv Richards is also eager to join the squad.”
Considered one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, Viv Richards played 121 Tests and 187 ODIs for the West Indies in an illustrious career that included more than 15,000 runs. He scored 24 Test centuries and 11 ODIs.
He has been a member of the Quetta Gladiators since the inception of the league in 2016. Gladiators are currently fifth in the points table with one win in three matches. Today they will play against the defending champions Lahore Qalandars.
The team led by Sarfaraz Ahmed started their campaign in a poor condition as they lost to Multan Sultans by 9 wickets in the first match held at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
The former champions bounced back from their second match defeating the Imad Wasim-led Karachi Kings at the National Bank Cricket Ground.
However, the Gladiators could not sustain their momentum as they lost their third match in Karachi against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi by 4 wickets.
It must be noted that the closing ceremony and final of PSL 8 will be played on March 19 in Lahore, which will also host play-offs. Lahore Qalandars will attempt to become the first side to win back-to-back titles; meanwhile, Gladiators lifted the trophy in 2019.
Squad: Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Mohammad Hafeez, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qais Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Dwaine Pretorius (partial replacement for Odean Smith), Will Jacks (partial replacement for Jason Roy), Nuwan Thushara (partial replacement for Naveen ul Haq)