Quetta Gladiators’ Player Development Program Star Umer Lohya Shares His Surreal Journey
Young cricketer opens up about learning from elite talents in Pakistan's premier T20 league
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In a heartfelt testimonial shared on Quetta Gladiators’ official Instagram account, emerging talent Umer Lohya has opened up about his “surreal experience” as part of the franchise’s Player Development Program during the ongoing HBL PSL X tournament.
The Instagram post features Lohya speaking directly to the camera, sharing his journey and experiences as a developing player with the franchise that has been nurturing young cricket talent since its inception in 2016.
From Trainee To Purple Force Member
“The product of our Player Development Program Umer Lohya shares his surreal experience of being a part of #PurpleForce and learning from the very best of the cricketing world,” reads the caption on the post shared by the Quetta Gladiators.
In the video, Lohya appears to be discussing the invaluable experience of training alongside established international cricketers and learning from the coaching staff of one of Pakistan Super League’s most successful franchises.
Learning From Cricket Elites
The Player Development Program has been a cornerstone initiative for Quetta Gladiators, focusing on identifying and nurturing local talent to feed into Pakistan’s cricketing ecosystem. Lohya represents the success of this system, having progressed through the ranks to train with the main squad.
The opportunity to learn from international stars has clearly made an impression on the young cricketer. Quetta Gladiators has consistently attracted top talent from around the world, with players like Mark Chapman and Finn Allen currently part of their roster for the tenth edition of the PSL.
Current Campaign And Team Focus
The Gladiators are currently in the midst of their PSL 10 campaign, with recent posts suggesting the team is training hard in Lahore as they prepare for upcoming fixtures. A post from the team’s account on February 27 stated, “The #PurpleForce is training hard in Lahore, ready to turn the tide in our next game.”
The franchise has also welcomed several international players to bolster their squad for this season. New Zealand’s Mark Chapman was introduced as a “belligerent hitter” who has “donned the #PurpleForce kit,” while fellow Kiwi Finn Allen was celebrated with a birthday post describing him as an “explosive batter.”
A post from February 28 also announced the arrival of “The ᴋɪɴɢ man,” suggesting another significant addition to their roster as they push for playoff contention in this season’s tournament.
Team Culture And Identity
The Gladiators have worked to create a strong team identity, recently releasing their anthem for 2025 titled “Jashan Tou Hoga” featuring Pakistani celebrities Maya Ali and Bilal Ashraf alongside singer Faakhir. The anthem’s promotion describes it as “New beat, same heat” and “The roar is back, louder than ever!” reinforcing the team’s commitment to maintaining their passionate fan base.
With their distinctive purple team colors (hence the #PurpleForce hashtag) and the rallying cry of “Kai Kai Quetta,” the franchise has built a recognizable brand in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
Player Development: The Future Of Pakistan Cricket
Lohya’s testimony highlights the importance of domestic franchises in developing Pakistan’s next generation of cricket stars. By providing young players access to international expertise and professional environments, programs like the one run by Quetta Gladiators create a pathway for talent development that serves both the franchise and national cricket interests.
As the PSL continues to grow in stature on the global cricket calendar, these development initiatives become increasingly valuable in bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket for emerging Pakistani talent.
The franchise’s commitment to this development model appears to be paying dividends, with players like Lohya now able to experience the professional environment of the PSL and potentially follow in the footsteps of previous Gladiators players who have gone on to represent Pakistan at the international level.
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