Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has expressed his support for two of Pakistan’s brightest young batting talents, Hassan Nawaz and Khawaja Nafay, predicting their potential to become stars in international cricket.
Speaking ahead of Gladiators’ much-anticipated PSL 10 Qualifier against title-holders Islamabad United, Saud didn’t hold back in his admiration for the duo, calling them “encouraging signs for Pakistan cricket.”
“Hassan Nawaz played all kinds of shots and was instrumental in our victories,” Saud said.
“Performances from players like Hassan and Nafay give you hope. They’re not just here to fill spots — they’re genuine contenders for the Pakistan team.”
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Hassan, in particular, has been one of the breakout stars of the season.
The 22-year-old power-hitter currently sits fifth on the tournament’s top scorers list, having piled up 317 runs in 10 matches at a blistering average of 63.40 and a strike rate touching 160.
His tally includes two fifties and a stunning century, highlighting both flair and consistency.
Reflecting on the Gladiators’ journey to the playoffs, Saud Shakeel credited Hassan’s impact at key moments and revealed the early challenges around his batting position.
“We didn’t start the tournament well, but we turned things around with the bat,” he added.
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“When Hassan was picked, there was always confidence in his talent, though early on, we hadn’t finalised his batting order. Whatever praise he gets, it’s still not enough.”
On Khawaja Nafay, who has quietly chipped in with crucial innings when called upon, Saud said, “Nafay grabbed his opportunity well. These performances will only boost his confidence going forward.”
Despite topping the league stage with seven wins and just two losses, Saud remained grounded, saying there’s still room for refinement.
“There is always room for improvement in every department,” he admitted. “We played the whole tournament with Finn Allen. The final XI for the Qualifier hasn’t been discussed yet, we’ll take a call based on the conditions.”
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