KARACHI, Pakistan, GDP – Veteran opener Chris Gayle could make an appearance in West Indies colors for the first time in nearly two years against Sri Lanka next week after announcing here on Monday that he is leaving Senior Pakistan Alliance and return to Caribbean for “international duties”.
The 41-year-old played two games for Quetta Gladiators during the PSL that bowed here last weekend, hitting 39 in the opener on Saturday against Karachi Kings and 68 against Lahore Qalanders on Monday.
In a post-match interview following the nine-wicket loss to Qalanders, Gayle announced that he would be leaving to join the West Indies.
“It’s sad to leave because I wanted to play the full PSL,” said the former West Indies captain.
“That’s the reason I actually gave up my name because I wanted to come here and dominate the PSL. I wanted to give fans something to cheer about after being in Pakistan for like 15 years.
“Unfortunately, I have to leave for international duties but Lahore is there and that’s the second phase of the second round.
“So you still know a lot of cricket to play so I’m looking forward to knowing you visit Lahore as well.”
West Indies will face Sri Lanka in three Twenty20 International matches starting March 3 in Antigua, marking the Caribbean side’s first home series in more than a year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the selectors have not announced a squad for the games, but Gayle’s revelation suggests that the strongest side is likely to be closed for the series.
The last left-hander turned out for the West Indies when he made a 72-round knockout against India in Port of Spain in the one-day International final in a three-match series back in 2019.
He has not played T20 International since March of that year when England toured the Caribbean.
Though during the twilight of his career, Gayle remains one of the most popular T20 batsmen on the international franchise circuit due to his fearless hitting.
Gayle has accumulated 13 691 runs and 22 hundreds in 413 T20s, and has also hit two centuries in 58 international matches for the West Indies.
He said it was a “blessing” to continue to play cricket in the midst of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“I’m proud to be playing cricket at this particular time. Playing during this set time is a blessing. Hopefully things can improve in the future, ”Gayle noted.
“When you look at what’s going on in the world there are no fans in the stadiums and people have to watch [cricket] on television, it’s something that people and players look back on and say that we have to appreciate times when we actually had good things and not take them for granted.
“Things are difficult with the world in a break. We must not take life for granted when things can open up. ”