Riaz pays tribute to Sammy
dubai — Peshawar Zalmi’s new captain Wahab Riaz paid tribute to Darren Sammy who stood down from the role to become coach of the franchise and said that the West Indian still is an integral part of the team.
The much-loved 36-year-old led the Zalmis to the HBL Pakistan Super League title in 2017 but form and fitness concerns saw him relinquish the position midway through this edition.
Sammy, who will receive honorary citizenship and the highest civilian award from the president, for reviving international cricket in Pakistan, has been appointed coach for the next two years,
“First of all, we have to give credit to Sammy for the way he led the team over the past three years,” Riaz said after leading his side to victory against defending champions Quetta Gladiators.
“Obviously, this opportunity has been given to me and Sammy is now our coach. He’s the one who is still leading. We worked together as a team and you saw the result,” he added.
The left-arm quick said that Sammy, who also led them to the final in 2018 and 2019, will remain a vital cog in Zalmi’s wheel.
“Sammy is a part of Peshawar Zalmi. We will miss him on the field but the good thing is the way he sat in the dugout as a coach and handled things. He is still with us, he’s not away from us, he’s one of us and he will be with us,” said Riaz.
“If you saw, he was very enthusiastic, he was very much in the game. Through the match, he kept giving us valuable advice, especially during the time out. It is a really good thing and a real positive for us,” he added.