Moin Khan reflects on Quetta Gladiators' dismal show in PSL 6

Quetta Gladiators is having a miserable season of the Pakistan Super League. The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side has lost seven of their 9 matches and are out of contention for a place in the playoffs. Unimpressed by his team’s performance, Quetta Gladiators’ Head Coach Moin Khan rued injuries and proper team combination for Quetta’s poor display.

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In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Moin Khan said the players lacked intent and were not consistent enough which led to Quetta Gladiators' dismal performance.

“There is pressure in all forms of cricket, whether it’s club or international. The important thing is how you deal with that situation, which is something a player needs to learn. No doubt, Azam is a very talented player who can change the game with his batting but he still needs to put in the hard yards, when it comes to dealing with pressure situations,” he said.

“It is easy to get into Pakistan team these days, as compared to our days in the past, but maintaining your place in the side is more difficult and he needs to work really hard in order to do that,” he added.

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Moin Khan also spoke at lengths about his son Azam Khan, who has received his maiden Pakistan call up for the T20 assignments against England and West Indies. Khan reckoned that Azam is a very talented cricketer but he needs to learn to tackle the pressure situations. Some people also alleged that Azam Khan’s selection in the Pakistan team was because of Moin Khan. Brushing off the allegations, Moin said while it is easy to get into the team, cementing your place in the side is not easy as the player has to deliver consistent performances to hold on to his spot in the team.

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“There is pressure in all forms of cricket, whether it’s club or international. The important thing is how you deal with that situation, which is something a player needs to learn. No doubt, Azam is a very talented player who can change the game with his batting but he still needs to put in the hard yards, when it comes to dealing with pressure situations,” he said.

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“It is easy to get into Pakistan team these days, as compared to our days in the past, but maintaining your place in the side is more difficult and he needs to work really hard in order to do that,” he added.

The former wicketkeeper-batsman also believes that Quetta Gladiators' skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed needs to bat up the order, as an opener or at number 3. He also spoke in detail about the Shaheen Afridi- Sarfaraz Ahmed on-field altercation and said that these things happen in the heat of the moment but added that youngsters should respect their senior players.

“These things happen in the heat of moment. I have played cricket so I totally understand a fast-bowler’s aggression but respect for a senior player is also important. Shaheen said some inappropriate things from mid-off, when he was not bowling, which Sarfaraz didn’t like. These young players need to realise that when they become seniors, their juniors will also do the same to them,” he concluded

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