Sammy terms Pakistani people’s love for him a lifetime treasure

ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Zalmi captain Daren Sammy Monday said it is the love of people for him that has come through Pakistan Super League (PSL) and he would continue visiting Pakistan in future. Sammy, who led Zalmi - standing for injured Shahid Afridi – to a win over Quetta Gladiators in the final held in Lahore, said Zalmi family felt like his own family, said a news release issued here.

“The love they have given me has always been overwhelming for me and it’s a lifetime treasure.

Pakistan is always welcoming and I appreciate the fact that the people here treat me as one of their own," Sammy said, who played 38 Tests, 126 ODIs and 68T20Is for the West Indies.

The biggest honour he received in his career was in 2012 when he led the West Indies team to the ICC World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka.

He was awarded OBE in his native St Lucia and the cricket ground was named after him.

He was again the captain when West Indies regained the title in India in 2016.

Sammy, who also played in the IPL and the CPL, places the PSL among the top leagues in the world, primarily for its talent production.

“I see PSL as one of the best leagues in the world as it has become such a big brand in such a short span of time. It is always a treat to play in the PSL,” said Sammy.

He said PSL has provided great emerging cricketers to Pakistan as well as the world. “Players who perform in PSL also get picked in other International leagues. Ibtisam Sheikh and Sameen Gul are the players to look-out for in Zalmi,” he said.

Sheikh is a bespectacled leg-spinner of quality, while Sameen is a burgeoning fast bowler.