Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRIAN Bennett says he is excited by being signed by Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Peshawar Zalmi.
The Chevrons star will be praying to get a chance to prove himself after joining as a “partial replacement”.
He becomes the second Zimbabwean 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 the IPL instead, a huge step for the Zimbabwean fast bowler.
These developments for the Zimbabwean players are coming at the back of an impressive ICC T20 World Cup hosted by Sri Lanka and India.
Bennett, who was one of the outstanding batters 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 yesterday for Pakistan.
He confirmed his departure yesterday 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.
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.
Mathew Masinge