Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal has been drafted into the Quetta Gladiators squad as a replacement for Bevon Jacobs, who has left the franchise to fulfil national cricket commitments.
Chandimal was expected to arrive in Pakistan on Thursday to link up with the Gladiators ahead of their remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) fixtures, Newswire reported.
The signing is a notable return to franchise cricket for the 35-year-old, who has remained available across formats despite being outside Sri Lanka’s current T20I plans. It also puts to rest lingering questions over his fitness: Chandimal and T20I captain Charith Asalanka publicly denied last week that they had failed team fitness tests. A PSL franchise contract requires medical clearance, and Quetta’s move confirms he is match-ready.
Jacobs, the New Zealand-born batter who joined the Gladiators earlier in the tournament, has departed to rejoin international duty. Neither the Gladiators nor the PSL has disclosed the specific series pulling Jacobs away.
Quetta Gladiators, a two-time PSL finalist and 2019 champions, are chasing a play-off berth in the current edition. Team officials did not publicly detail Chandimal’s contract terms or expected batting position, but his top-order experience and wicketkeeping option give the side flexibility as the tournament nears its business end.
Source: Newswire.
