Sarfraz names replacements for Watson, Pietersen

Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed has announced the replacements of Shane Watson and Kevin Pietersen, as both players had refused to visit Pakistan for the remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) fixtures.

Former Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera and Bangladesh's all-rounder Mahmudullah will be part of the Gladiators squad for tomorrow's eliminator against Peshawar Zalmi to be played in Lahore, the skipper announced.

Quetta, who faced a major exodus during last year’s final in Lahore when all their first-choice overseas players refused to play in Lahore, will however have the services of South African left-hander Rilee Rossouw who has agreed to participate in Tuesday’s encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium after receiving a briefing from Reg Dickason.

On Sunday, Gladiators had officially announced that their leading run-getter in the PSL, Shane Watson, and paceman Ben Laughlin will not be travelling to Pakistan for the playoffs.

Watson, the 36-year-old Australian all-rounder, and Laughlin joined former England captain Kevin Pietersen and the current England limited-overs opener Jason Roy who had earlier pulled out of the Pakistan leg.

Perera has been granted special permission to represent Sarfraz XI as he was originally picked by Multan Sultans but did not play a single match for the newest franchise.

Moreover, Quetta have signed up West Indies opener Johnson Charles and Tom-Kohler Cadmore, the 23-year-old right-handed batsman who plays for English county team Yorkshire.