BPL 2019-20: Chris Gayle set to play in second half of BPL
T20 cricket's most prolific scorer Chris Gayle is set to feature in the second half of the seventh edition of the Bangladesh Premier League or Bangabandhu BPL. Gayle was picked up by the Chattogram Challengers on November 17 at the BPL draft in Dhaka.
According to reports, Gayle is likely to feature in the league after January 4, post his recovery from a hamstring injury which he picked up in the ongoing Mzansi Super League in South Africa.
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Chattogram's managing director KM Rifatuzzaman brought clarity to the ongoing saga, stating:
"Chris Gayle has a hamstring niggle... He will need a bit of time to be completely fit. He was always going to play in the BPL and even though we will not have him for the entire campaign, he will be available in the latter part."
After a disappointing MSL, Gayle had revealed his intentions of not participating in any forms of cricket till the new year and had taken a break to recharge his batteries. This meant that Gayle was out of the squad which was supposed to tour India from December.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Gayle's agent in the Indian sub-continent, Rudradeep Banerjee, confirmed the news of Gayle joining Chattogram Challengers in January after a deal was struck between the franchise and the player.
"In the MSL he picked up a niggle for which his doctor has advised him rest of at least two weeks."
"An arrangement has been reached with Chattogram for Gayle to come and play [BPL] from January 4. If he would have been fit he would have played the first leg, would have gone home on December 23 and come back again on January 4."
Gayle had represented Rangpur Rangers in the past two seasons that included a devastating inning of 146 runs against Dhaka Dynamites in the 2017 BPL final.