PSL 2025: Shane Watson betrays Quetta Gladiators, rejects head coach role

Quetta Gladiators have faced a massive blow ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. Head coach Shane Watson won't be part of the team for the next edition of the league due to the change in the schedule of the tournament, which was played during the February-March window every year.

This comes as a massive surprise because Shane Watson has been long associated with the Quetta Gladiators. He played as a player for the team for a long before taking over the head coach role of the team ahead of the 2024 edition of the Pakistan Super League.

Watson won't be continuing as the head coach because of his pre-signed long-term agreements. The development was confirmed by the Quetta Gladiators on their social media account, saying the former Australian player has been the lucky charm for the team.

Quetta Gladiators Head Coach Shane Watson will not be able to continue as Head Coach with the franchise for HBL PSL season 10 as the league's window got changed - Franchise statement

The statement read: "Quetta Gladiators Head Coach Shane Watson will not be able to continue as Head Coach with the franchise for HBL PSL season 10 as the league's window got changed which will be affecting his pre-signed long-term agreements.

"Watson has been a lucky charm for the franchise as the Gladiators won the PSL title when he came to Pakistan as a player while QG qualified for the play-off stage after a wait of four long years as soon as Watson took charge of the team."

Quetta Gladiators will always be indebted to Shane Watson for his outstanding contribution both as a player and head coach - Franchise owner Nadeem Omar

Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar also talked about the development, saying that they will be indebted for Watson's contribution to the team. He also wished him luck for his future assignments and said:

"Quetta Gladiators will always be indebted to Shane Watson for his outstanding contribution both as a player and head coach. The Gladiators are known throughout the world because of certain superstars who have represented our franchise and Shane is on top of that list.

"We wish Shane all the very best for his future assignments and I have no doubt that he will be one of the most sought after coaches in world cricket."

📰 UPDATE ON SHANE WATSON 📰@ShaneRWatson33 unavailable to continue as Head Coach of Quetta Gladiators in HBLPSL10

We will miss Watto's presence in the QG dug out during the @thePSLt20 matches.

The Quetta Gladiator's owner Mr. Nadeem Omar has extended his best wishes to Shane… pic.twitter.com/vJxM6gn4XN

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) January 15, 2025

Shane Watson played a huge role in Quetta Gladiators, and Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be the head coach

Watson played a huge role in Quetta Gladiators winning the PSL title in 2019. He was at his best with the bat as he had 430 runs throughout the season to bag the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award. Under his guidance last year, the team reached the playoffs, losing in an eliminator.

With Watson parting ways with the franchise, there have been several reports that claimed that the Quetta Gladiators are likely to rope in Sarfaraz Ahmed as the coach. The batter was unsold in the draft and now will be taking the coaching role of the team.

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