West Indies superstars, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell have been drafted as “icons” for their respective franchises in the Afghanistan Premier League Twenty20, which bowls off next month.
In the draft staged recently, Balk picked up the veteran Gayle as their “icon” player while Nangarhar snatched West Indies all-rounder Russell.
The two cricketers are the only West Indies players involved in the inaugural tournament, which runs from Oct. 5-21 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Though in the twilight of his career, Gayle remains a high sought-after player on the global Twenty20 circuit.
The 40-year-old Jamaica, holds the record for the most career Twenty20 runs with an average 11.711 and the most centuries with 21.
Russell, who is also viewed as a prized asset in the Twenty20 format, where he is an explosive lower batter, medium pace bowler and an outstanding fielder, all of which has earned him contracts in early every league across the world.
He has scored nearly 4,000 runs from 166 matches, taken 244 wickets and 212 catches.
Both players recently campaigned in the Caribbean Premier League which ended Sunday, Sept. 16.
Gayle was the captain of the St. Kitts–Nevis Patriots while Russell led the Jamaica Tallawahs.
