Peshawar Zalmi retain Carlos Brathwaite for entire PSL 2020 after Kieron Pollard ruled out

Carlos Brathwaite has been retained by Peshawar Zalmi for the complete duration of the fifth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) after fellow Windies player Kieron Pollard was ruled out of the tournament due to a niggle in his right thigh, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

Pollard, who was expected to join the Zalmi squad after the conclusion of West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, is experiencing occasional tightness at his right rectus femoris quad muscle because of an injury sustained earlier, the PCB said.

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Braithwaite was originally called-up as a cover for Pollard till 6 March.

“With a heavy heart I wish my teammates at Peshawar Zalmi all the best for the remainder of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020,” Pollard said.

“I’m sorry I can’t be there in person this year but the team has some inspirational characters leading the charge and I’m sure can give Daren [Sammy] his first trophy as a head coach,” the 32-year-old added.

Pollard had turned out in 2017, 2018 and 2019 editions of PSL. In 33 HBL PSL matches, the West Indian scored 650 runs, which include three half-centuries, at a strike-rate of 166.24.

Earlier this week, Daren Sammy had stepped down from captaincy and took over a new role as head coach-cum-player for Peshawar.

Peshawar are currently placed second on the points table, behind table-toppers Multan, with four wins in eight games.