Sarfraz hopes foreign players make Pakistan trip for PSL play-offs

DUBAI: Pakistan and Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfraz Ahmed hoped overseas players of his franchise take a trip to Pakistan for the play-offs in the next week.

Quetta were the worst hit team last year when their key foreign players Kevin Pietersen, Tymal Mills and Luke Wright ( all from England) and South African Rilee Rossouw refused to tour Lahore for March 5 final last year.

This year again Pietersen has point blank refused to tour Pakistan while Shane Watson said he will consult his family as Quetta qualifies for the play-offs.

Sarfraz said he hopes Watson makes the trip.

“I hope they take a good decision,” said Sarfraz. “Last year it (refusal of overseas players not to tour Pakistan) was a loss but I hope they will think for the team. Otherwise we have some back up players.”

Sarfraz hit an unbeaten 45 to lead Quetta’s six wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai, reaching to the top of the table with ten points from eight matches.

“We were motivated for the win,” said Sarfraz. “We were not been able to make our combination but Watson has strike form, so had Pietersen and although he played a small innings but it was key to the win.”

Sarfraz said he wants Watson and Pietersen to bat high up the order.

“Watson and Pietersen are very important players so I want them to bat up the order and whenever I see I need to go up I will go,” said Sarfraz.