Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S T20 World Cup star Brian Bennett has been unveiled by former Pakistan Super League champions Peshawar Zalmi ahead of the T20 cricket franchise tournament set to start tomorrow, putting the icing on his outing for the Chevrons at last month’s global tournament.
Bennett, who was among the outstanding performers for Zimbabwe at the recent ICC T20 World Cup, is now reaping the rewards of his hard work.
The signing was confirmed by the owner of the Zalmi franchise, Javed Afridi, in a post on his social media platform X.
“We welcome Brian John Bennett from Zimbabwe to the Zalmi family,” Afridi wrote.
The right-handed batter has been a formidable performer for Zimbabwe in international limited-overs cricket.
He has played 58 T20Is, scoring 1,888 runs at a healthy strike rate of 143.68, including 12 fifties and one century.
Bennett was also the sixth-highest run-scorer in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, held in India and Sri Lanka.
He amassed 292 runs in six matches at an average of 146.00 and a strike rate of 134.56, with three half-centuries to his name.
The 22-year-old is set to make his debut not only in the PSL but also in any overseas franchise league.
The PSL will run from tomorrow to May 3.
Fellow Zimbabwean Blessing Muzarabani had also signed for Islamabad United in the PSL but withdrew to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, his decision has prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board to consider legal action.
The PSL starts tomorrow, and matches will now be held exclusively at two venues — Karachi and Lahore — and played behind closed doors due to security reasons.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the revised arrangements during a media conference, explaining that the decisions followed a joint meeting with franchise owners and consultations with the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, who serves as the Patron-in-Chief.
Six cities, including Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, had originally been in contention to host matches.
Bennett ton propels Mountaineers to Pro50 final. Before he heads off to Pakistan, Bennet ensured he left his mark on the domestic game. He smashed an unbeaten century and then weighed in with a handy contribution with the ball yesterday to usher Mountaineers to the final of the 2025-26 Pro-50 Championship.
Bennett dominated the match with his unbeaten 134 runs as Mountaineers cruised to a seven-wicket win over Mashonaland Eagles at Harare Sports Club, to book a date in the final of the one-day competition against unbeaten Southern Rocks.
Playing for the first time since returning from the global show-piece where he also played a central role in Zimbabwe’s historic Super Eight feat, Bennett looked comfortable all-round. He faced 133 balls and struck 16 boundaries, albeit with no maximum, during a knock that lasted just over three and half hours.
Mountaineers won the toss and opted to field first, restricting Eagles to 249/9 in their 50 overs. This was despite Eagles having started on a strong footing following an 80-run partnership for the opening wicket between Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) and skipper Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (65).
The Harare franchise lost one wicket too many during the middle overs and had slid to 176/7 when Rodney Mupfudza (32) departed in the 35th over. Faraz Akram (44) and Kundai Matigimu (29) pushed the score to a respectable total with a late charge, but the Mountaineers bowlers kept the progress in check with all the six bowlers getting at least a wicket.
Bennett was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2-39. Prosper Mugeri and Wellington Masakadza also grabbed two wickets apiece while Tendai Chatara, Alistair Frost and Michael Frost had a wicket each.
Mountaineers suffered an early setback in the chase after Bennett lost opening partner Joylord Gumbie (2) in the sixth over.
But he found good company in Nicholas Welch, who was unfortunate to miss out on a List A half ton after he was bowled out for 48 runs by Dion Myers.
The 94-run partnership for the second wicket was, however, key.
Mountaineers edged closer to the target following a 102-runs partnership for the third wicket between Bennett and Ronak Patel (41).
By the time Patel was dismissed, the game was virtually in the bag as they needed 22 runs from 47 balls. Mountaineers then calmly chased down the target with 24 balls to spare, with Bennett scoring his second List A century and Timycen Maruma (7) at the other end of the crease.
Mountaineers claimed maximum two points to take their tally to nine points, three behind leaders Southern Rocks. Eagles were effectively knocked out of competition for a pot in the final as they remained on six points, ahead of the final round of play. In the other Pro50 match yesterday, Rhinos were condemned to finish at the bottom of the table after succumbing to a 16 runs defeat to Tuskers at Queens Sports Club.
National team all-rounder Ryan Burl fought a lone battle towards the end with his 106 (from 102 balls) but the century was not enough to overturn Tuskers’ total of 268 runs.
Ben Curran also contributed 57 runs but Rhinos were bowled out for 252 runs inside 48.4 overs. Tuskers’ bowlers Ernest Masuku, Tinotenda Maposa and Ainsley Ndlovu took three wickets each.
Former national team all-rounder Luke Jongwe had shone with the bat courtesy of a brilliant knock of 61 runs from 51 balls. Jongwe finished unbeaten with three fours and two sixes on his roster.
