Dhaka – The former vice-captain of Australia Cricket team David Warner, who has been serving a one-year ban for a ball-tampering scandal, is now in Bangladesh to take part in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for the first time.At the first media conference after coming to Dhaka on Thursday, Warner said he wants to exploit BPL before the possible international comeback in March next.
“I am just excited to be here and be a part of it. I have an opportunity to play good cricket with great competition, with some great experienced and younger players, who hopefully can put on the Bangladesh national colours one day to fulfill their dreams,” Warner said.
“I was able to do that for my country. Having played in the IPL, I have seen some of the young Indian players come through to play for their country. I think that’s what is important about the BPL,” the explosive batsman added.
The hard-hitting southpaw will play for Sylhet Sixers who finished the last BPL bottom of the points table. But this time, Sixers want to record some memorable performance as they announced Warner as captain of the team. Warner has the experience to win IPL as the leader of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“I am extremely grateful to be leading the side. For me it is about making sure that we as a whole, including the support staff and management, can get the best out of the players. We have to establish our best XI when we get into the park and make sure we do the right things in training. I have to make sure I am doing my job right, which is scoring runs and leading the guys on the park,” Warner told the reporters at a Dhaka hotel.
Warner was banned by Cricket Australia for one year due to the ball-tampering scandal along with fellow teammate Steve Smith who is also a part of this year’s BPL as he is set to play for the former champions of the tournament Comilla Victorians.
Waqar Younis, the former Pakistan great, will be coaching Sylhet in the BPL. He expressed his happiness with the team that he has to fight in the contest.
“I think we picked a pretty balanced team. We have all bases covered. We have a good bowling line-up with couple of really good overseas fast bowlers and leg spinners. Sandeep Lamichhane and Imran Tahir are both world-class. Warner will lead the team from the front. I have worked with him in the past and we get on really well. Hopefully we will challenge other teams in this tournament and play really well,” Waqar told the reporters on Thursday.
The BPL is all set to take field from January 5. The first match of the contest will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Sylhet will play their league opener against Comilla Victorians on January 6 at 12:30pm.UNB
