The defending champion of Pakistan Super League Quetta Gladiators may lose Quetta tag from its name as franchise has hit a lot of nerves with ill-advised and ill-times statement from its owner Nadim Omer.
Balochistan government has decided to distance itself from the franchise and Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri has also showed reservations over the functioning of the franchise.
The rift started when the franchise owner Nadim Omer had threatened to change the name of the team from Quetta Gladiators to Charsaddah Gladiators when he was urged to give more opportunities to players belonging to Quetta and Balochistan.
It was the reason that the Balochistan government had snubbed the kit unveiling ceremony of the Quetta Gladiators.
Moreover, the Balochistan government has also decided to hold Quetta Premier League at provincial level in response. The provincial government felt neglected for not being given chance to host any PSL match and keep Balochistan players from the PSL.
According to the government, the Balochistan players would get more opportunities to showcase their talent through Quetta Premier League and would get a chance to prove that they are talented to be part of any event including the PSL.
It may be mentioned that so far the Quetta Gladiators had selected two Quetta players Jallat Khan and Bismillah Khan in previous editions and have included Abdul Nasir from Quetta for PSL-V.