Daren Sammy to Captain Peshawar Zalmi in PSL!

The love affair between Pakistan cricket and former West Indies captain Daren Sammy is set to deepen.

The 32-year-old Pashto-speaking Saint Lucian captured the hearts of Pakistanis when he played for Peshawar Zalmi in the first edition of the Pakistan Super League, which took place in the United Arab Emirates in February 2016. He learned Pashto from PSL franchise owner Javed Afridi, and called it a "very sweet language."

Peshawar made the semifinals of this years' competition, with Sammy compiling 140 runs at a per-game average of 28 in seven innings, inclusive of 10 fours and a team-high 10 sixes, adding four wickets and four catches.

With PSL 2017 set for February of next year, Sammy was invited to Dubai for the Player Draft this week, joining Sir Viv Richards and other luminaries past and present. Cast in the Platinum category, along with a number of superstars of West Indies and world cricket, he was quickly retained by Peshawar.

But that was not the biggest news of the day. Daren, recently discarded as West Indies captain despite leading the regional team to two World T20 titles, will be taking up the leadership mantle in Pakistan, where they will be hoping to make the final, which is slated to be held in Lahore, Pakistan.

"It was one of the best teams I've played in," said Daren. "The players and coaching staff really gelled well together, on and off the field. It was very disappointing to miss out on a place in the finals by one run, but next season we are looking to go all the way. 

"It's also an honor to be named captain. It only shows that my leadership qualities are well respected in the cricket world, and I'm looking forward to leading yet another franchise team. I also want to thank the owners and coaching staff for the belief and confidence that they have in me to lead Peshawar Zalmi. All thanks and praise must go to the Almighty Father."

Under Daren's leadership with Zalmi will be England captain, Eoin Morgan, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. According to Daren, when Shahid, also known as Lala or Boom Boom, first told him that he (Shahid) would hand him the captaincy, Daren thought the Pakistani legend must have been joking.

But the Saint Lucian will indeed be in charge for the season starting in February. He will also have Pakistani quick Wahab Riaz at his disposal, along with Mohammad Hafeez, Tamim Iqbal, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, and England's Chris Jordan.

“You have not been respected by your board but I believe I can show you the respect a champion deserves,” said Shahid Afridi, shortly after announcing that Younis Khan would play the role as batting coach and mentor for Peshawar.

Daren, the captain of Saint Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League, has also been named as captain of Rajshahi Kings for next month's Bangladesh Premier League.