Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRIAN Bennett says he is excited for being signed by Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Peshawar, but the Chevrons star will be praying to get a chance to prove himself after joining as a “partial replacement”.
The Chevrons batsman becomes the second Zimbabwean player to be a part of the PSL this year after Sikandar Raza.
Blessing Muzarabani, who was supposed to be the third, has since crossed the floor and opted for IPL instead, a huge step for the Zimbabwean bowler.
These developments come on the back of an impressive ICC T20 World Cup hosted by Sri Lanka and India.
Bennett, who was one of the most outstanding batsman at that tournament, which saw the Chevrons beat both Sri Lanka and Australia in the group stages to progress to the Super Eights, left the country on Wednesday for Pakistan.
He confirmed his departure after he posted a century for Mountaineers to inspire them to a seven-wicket win over the Eagles at Harare Sports Club, reaching the final of the Pro-50 in the process.
“Yeah obviously it feels nice to be picked…,” Bennett said. “It’s obviously my first league overseas, I’m really excited.”
Peshawar Zalmi had already announced the signing of the Zimbabwean batsman just a few days before the PSL T20 franchise tournament starts.
According to IPL.com, Bennett is understood to have joined Zalmi as a partial replacement for any of the Bangladesh players who leave the league for their ODI tour against New Zealand.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) earlier confirmed that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to its players required them to return for the bilateral series if required. Of Zalmi’s foreign picks, Aaron Hardie, Nahid Rana, and Shoriful Islam have reached the country for the PSL,
with Kusal Mendis, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, James Vince, and Bennett yet to arrive,” IPL.com stated.
With Peshawar expected to play their opening game against Rawalpindiz on Saturday in Lahore, one of two venues hosting the matches behind closed doors, it is unlikely Bennett will take part.
The Pakistan T20 league will initially be played behind closed doors as a result of the effects of the US, Israel conflict with Iran.
Two venues, Karachi and Lahore, will host the matches.
Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11:
Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Brian Bennett, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir
Baig, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf and Shoriful Islam.
