Quetta Gladiators’ batter Sherfane Rutherford has left the squad, citing personal reasons and will not be available for the remaining group matches of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.
Rutherford did not participate in Quetta Gladiators’ clash against Peshawar Zalmi yesterday as he returned back home for unrevealed family reasons.
However, the left-handed batter will join the squad for the playoffs of PSL 9, if Quetta Gladiators qualify.
Sherfane Rutherford has scored 151 runs in six innings in the ongoing season at a healthy strike rate of 148.03, which includes an unbeaten 58-run knock in the last-ball win against Karachi Kings.
Quetta Gladiators suffered a heavy 76-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi yesterday, courtesy of Babar Azam’s quickfire half-century, followed by a ruthless bowling effort.
Set to chase 197, the Gladiators’ batting unit unfolded on a meagre 120 despite a solid opening stand.
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Their openers Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy came out all guns blazing, smashing the ball all around the ground until Mehran Mumtaz struck in the fifth over.
The youngster dismissed Saud, who scored a quickfire 24 off 12 deliveries, laced with two boundaries and two sixes.
His dismissal opened the floodgates and the Gladiators lost four more wickets in quick succession, losing half of their side with 76 runs on the board in 10.4 overs.
Akeal Hosein (14) and Omair Bin Yousuf (10) offered minor resilience with their 21-run partnership before both perished.
Later, Mohammad Amir (13) offered a brief fight with his short cameo before Khurram Shahzad dismissed Abrar to sweep off the tail.
Quetta Gladiators are currently sitting in the fourth position in the points table after two consecutive losses. They need to win one of their last two games to qualify for the playoffs.
They will next face Lahore Qalandars on March 10 and Multan Sultans on March 12.
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