PSL 2024: Quetta Gladiators appoint Shane Watson as head coach

Quetta Gladiators have appointed former Australia allrounder Shane Watson as their new head coach ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 season. It marks the Gladiators' first change of coach since the inception of the league. Moin Khan, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter, who has been serving the role for the last eight years is set to be named as team director.

The PSL franchise made the announcement through their official X handle. Watson's appointment might be due to the Gladiators' recent dismal campaigns in the tournament, having missed out on playoff spots for four consecutive seasons.

The Gladiators were one of the best franchises in the first four editions of the PSL, reaching the final three times and clinching the title in 2019. Shane Watson, a key addition to the team in 2018, played a pivotal role in their success throughout his three-year stint. He established himself as arguably their greatest overseas player during his tenure. He was instrumental for the side in 2019, where he topped the run-scoring charts with 430 runs at a strike rate of 143.81, and went on to emerge as Player of the Tournament.

Despite their initial success, the Gladiators faced challenges in the subsequent four years, consistently finishing outside the playoff positions. However, the team continued with the same coach Moin Khan, and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

After retiring from all forms of cricket in 2020, Watson transitioned to the coaching role. In 2022, he joined the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals as an assistant coach. Recently, he took on the role of head coach of San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC).

Watson was renowned for his prowess in limited-overs cricket. In 190 ODIs, he amassed 5757 runs at an average of 40.54, maintaining a strike rate of 90.44. He also claimed 168 wickets at an average of 31.79 and an economy rate of 4.95. Meanwhile, in T20Is, he had accumulated 1462 runs at a strike rate of 145.32, while picking up 48 wickets with an economy rate of 7.65.