Quetta Gladiators Appoint Sohail Tanvir as Bowling Coach After Wahab Riaz NOC Withdrawn
Quetta Gladiators have made a significant mid-tournament coaching change in PSL 2026, bringing in Sohail Tanvir as their new bowling coach after the PCB withdrew Wahab Riaz’s NOC. On top of that, the franchise has also officially parted ways with Sarfaraz Ahmed, confirming that both Wahab Riaz and Sarfaraz have been removed from the Gladiators support staff.
| Development | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Bowling Coach | Sohail Tanvir |
| Departed | Wahab Riaz (NOC withdrawn by PCB) |
| Also Removed | Sarfaraz Ahmed |
| Franchise | Quetta Gladiators |
| Tournament | PSL 2026 |
Two big names out, one experienced campaigner in. This is one of the most talked-about off-field stories of PSL 2026 so far.
Why Was Wahab Riaz’s NOC Withdrawn
The PCB pulled Wahab Riaz’s No Objection Certificate, which meant he was no longer permitted to serve in his role with Quetta Gladiators during the ongoing tournament. The NOC withdrawal left the franchise with no choice but to find a replacement immediately, and they moved quickly by bringing Sohail Tanvir on board.
Wahab Riaz had been one of the most recognisable faces in Pakistan cricket for years and his presence in the Gladiators setup was seen as a major asset at the start of the season. The PCB’s decision to pull his NOC mid-tournament is a surprising development and one that has caught a lot of attention across the Pakistani cricket community.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Also Shown the Door
The bigger shock for many fans is the departure of Sarfaraz Ahmed from the Quetta Gladiators support staff. Sarfaraz is deeply associated with the Gladiators franchise, having led them to PSL glory in the past, and his removal marks a clean break between one of PSL’s most iconic captain-franchise partnerships.
The franchise confirmed both departures officially, making it clear this is not a temporary situation. Sarfaraz’s role in the support staff has now ended and there is no indication of a return for the remainder of the current season.
Who Is Sohail Tanvir
Sohail Tanvir is one of Pakistan cricket’s most experienced left-arm fast bowlers with a career spanning nearly two decades at the highest level. He has played in PSL from the very first season and knows the conditions, the players, and the demands of T20 coaching inside out.
Key facts about Sohail Tanvir:
- Former Pakistan international left-arm pacer
- PSL veteran from Season 1 onwards
- Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl effective yorkers
- Strong understanding of fast bowling strategy in T20 conditions
- Previously played for multiple PSL franchises giving him broad knowledge of the league
His appointment gives the Gladiators a bowling coach who understands exactly what is needed to take wickets on Pakistani pitches in T20 cricket.
What This Means for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2026
Quetta have had a mixed start to the season. They lost their opener against Karachi Kings by 14 runs before bouncing back to beat Hyderabad Kingsmen by 40 runs in Match 5. The bowling unit showed real quality in that second game with Abrar Ahmed taking three wickets and Ahmed Daniyal producing a 2/13 spell.
The arrival of Sohail Tanvir as bowling coach mid-tournament gives the attack fresh direction and experienced guidance at a crucial point in the competition. With nine matches still to go, there is plenty of time for this change to make a positive impact.
Check the full Quetta Gladiators squad to see the complete player list and follow their progress on the PSL 2026 points table.
PSL 2026 Standings After 6 Matches
| # | Team | M | W | L | PTS | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karachi Kings | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +0.524 |
| 2 | Lahore Qalandars | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1.567 |
| 3 | Multan Sultans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.825 |
| 4 | Peshawar Zalmi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.674 |
| 5 | Quetta Gladiators | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.650 |
| 6 | Rawalpindi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.674 |
| 7 | Islamabad United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.825 |
| 8 | Hyderabad Kingsmen | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.725 |
All upcoming fixtures are on the PSL 2026 schedule and full team rosters are available on the PSL 2026 squads page.
FAQs
Who is the new bowling coach of Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2026? Sohail Tanvir has been appointed as the new bowling coach of Quetta Gladiators after Wahab Riaz’s NOC was withdrawn by the PCB.
Why did Wahab Riaz leave Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2026? The PCB withdrew Wahab Riaz’s NOC, which meant he could no longer serve as part of the Gladiators support staff during the tournament.
Has Sarfaraz Ahmed also left Quetta Gladiators? Yes, Sarfaraz Ahmed has been officially removed from the Quetta Gladiators support staff alongside Wahab Riaz.
Is Sohail Tanvir a good choice as bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators? Sohail Tanvir is a highly experienced PSL and Pakistan cricket veteran with deep knowledge of T20 fast bowling, making him a strong choice for the role.
When did Quetta Gladiators announce the coaching changes? The changes were confirmed during the ongoing PSL 2026 season, with the franchise officially parting ways with both Wahab Riaz and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
How are Quetta Gladiators performing in PSL 2026 after these changes? Quetta have 2 points from 2 matches, sitting fifth on the table after one win and one loss. They will be hoping the new coaching setup helps them push up the standings.
