Saud Shakeel Aims to Impress Selectors Ahead of ODI World Cup

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has set his sights on delivering standout performances in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 to catch the attention of national selectors ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The season is slated to begin on March 26, and Saud sees it as a key opportunity to reestablish himself in the national squad.

“This season is very important for me. The ODI World Cup is coming up [next year], and I will aim to perform well to get the selectors' attention,” Saud stated.

Leadership and Past Performances

Making his debut as Gladiators captain last season, Saud guided the team to their first final since their 2019 championship triumph. Though the side narrowly missed out on the title, the 30-year-old left-handed batter remains determined to lead Quetta to victory this time.

“The overall performance of the last season was very good. We went to the final very easily,” he said. “We lost the final at the last moment. We are trying to play the same brand of cricket and make Quetta Gladiators champions.”

Squad Changes and Strength

Ahead of PSL 11, the Gladiators PSL 11 roster underwent significant adjustments, as franchises were allowed to retain up to four players following the introduction of two new teams. Despite these changes, Saud is confident that the team’s batting firepower remains intact and believes the squad is ready to perform at a high level.

“Although the team has changed a lot since the last edition, our batting strength is the same as last year. A few days ago, the team was very enthusiastic,” Saud stressed.

Fans and the PSL Experience

With PSL 11 being played behind closed doors in Karachi and Lahore due to national resource conservation efforts, Saud acknowledged that players will miss the live support of fans in stadiums. However, he urged supporters to follow the action from home, assuring that the competitive spirit on the field will translate into an entertaining viewing experience.

“When we will be on the ground, our passion will remain the same, but we will definitely miss the fans,” Saud said. “But look, if we play good cricket and put up a great competition, they will enjoy the action from home, and we urge them to support the PSL from home.”