Western Europe up-and-comer Quest Esports is making a change to their roster for the Riyadh Masters 2023 — and potentially, The International qualification.
Abdimalik “Malik” Saila is Quest’s newest offlaner, following a breakdown in negotiations between their last stand-in, Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf.
Quest previously loaned ATF for the third tour of the Dota Pro Circuit 2023, ending in 4th place in both the Regional League and the recently-concluded Bali Major.
Quest, Nigma Galaxy, and ATF each put out separate statements about a possible — but ultimately failed — loan extension, with the initial contract running out after the Bali Major.
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Quest Esports roster for Riyadh Masters 2023
Credit: Quest Esports
Aybek “TA2000” Tokayev
Tony “No!ob” Assaf
Abdimalik “Malik” Sailau (loan)
Omar “OmaR” Moughrabi
Oleh “kaori” Medvedok
Malik last played for Natus Vincere, before moving onto Quest for what could be an important stretch in their season.
While the US$15 million Riyadh Masters lies ahead, the org is also keeping an eye on potential TI12 qualifiers — where two more teams from WEU will join the 12 teams already invited to TI12.
Quest looked reborn with ATF on their roster. Now that the org is without the star offlaner, some tough competition — the likes of OG, Entity, Nigma Galaxy, and Team Secret — are waiting to pounce in the WEU closed qualifiers.
Riyadh will be the proving grounds to prove that their Major run was no fluke — even with a new player in tow so suddenly.
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