Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Quetta Gladiators is all set to announce the signing of former Australian allrounder Shane Watson as their head coach for the upcoming PSL 2024 season.
The announcement marks the Gladiators’ first change of head coach since the start of the PSL. Watson is set to replace Moin Khan, a former wicketkeeper-batter from Pakistan, as the team’s head coach after eight years.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the Quetta Gladiators has reached an agreement with Watson and a formal announcement is expected in the coming days. The report also states that Quetta Gladiators’ present coach Moin Khan will not be let go by the franchise, and Quetta Gladiators will instead appoint Moin Khan as the team director of the side.
The change in personnel comes in the backdrop of some underwhelming seasons by Quetta Gladiators in the recent PSL seasons. Gladiators were the most successful franchise in the first four PSL seasons, reaching the final three times and winning the PSL title in 2019. Watson, who joined the side in 2018, had a huge role in Gladiators’ success. Watson played for the PSL side for three seasons and delivered some memorable performances during his stint.
He was the team’s top run-getter in their title-winning season in 2019, scoring 430 runs with a strike rate of over 143. His heroics earned him the Player of the Tournament award in that season.
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However, the Gladiators have endured some tough phrases since then. They have not been able to qualify for the playoffs four seasons in a row since 2019 and that is exactly why the team management is mulling a change of guard. Watson might just be the man for the job, having a vast experience of PSL. The fact that he has played for the franchise before might provide him with an added advantage.