Cricket News

‘It is my family’ – Peshawar Zalmi icon returns to the side as head coach for PSL 8

Darren Sammy has been named as the coach of the Peshawar Zalmi for Pakistan Super League Season 8. Sammy replaces James Foster, who took charge in PSL season 7. This announcement headlines a long-standing association with the Peshawar-based franchise. The two-time World Cup-winning skipper took on the reins of leading the team from Shahid Afridi after a single season. His Midas touch guided the side to three consecutive finals.

He then served the franchise as head coach for two seasons, which included a defeat to the 2021 champions Multan Sultans. In the break that Sammy had, he coached St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League. St Lucia had a good campaign but lost out in the eliminator to Jamaica Tallawahs, who were the champions.

The eighth edition of the PSL will be played between February 9 and March 2023, the PCB confirmed last month. Confirming the news on Twitter, Sammy wrote: “I’m back. Peshawar Zalmi is my family and I am super excited for PSL season eight”, said the former cricketer.

Winning PSL Season 2 with Peshawar Zalmi was memorable – Darren Sammy

Peshawar Zalmi chairman Javed Afridi took to Twitter to write a message that he is excited to have Darren Sammy back into the Peshawar Zalmi family fold once again. “Along with this, Daren Sammy’s role in the restoration of international cricket in Pakistan is also unforgettable, especially in the final of PSL 2, the enthusiasm with which Darren Sammy came to Pakistan and played the final will always be memorable”, he said.

Sammy said that as captain for the Peshawar franchise, winning the trophy of PSL2 is one of his most cherished memories and now he is banking on the team to put up a good show and perform well in the upcoming PSL season 8 as well.

Sammy has also been bestowed with honorary citizenship by Pakistan. The former West Indian skipper was given this privilege for his telling contributions to bringing back international cricket to Pakistan. He was given honorary citizenship and Pakistan’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Haider, on March 23.