HONG KONG, Hong Kong (CMC) — Two-time Twenty20 (T20) World Cup-winning captain, Darren Sammy, will turn out for Hung Hom JD Jaguars in the second edition of the Hong Kong T20 Blitz in March.
Jaguars team coach Afzaal Haider confirmed Sammy’s participation, pointing out that he was expected to be a major drawing card for the Twenty20 showpiece.
“Darren Sammy is a stalwart of the game. His celebrations with the pacifier and champion dances have won him countless fans across the globe,” Haider said.
“More than that, he is a very astute cricketer, who can contribute with the bat, ball and strategies.”
The 33-year-old Sammy led West Indies to the capture of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012, and then again last April when the Caribbean side beat England in a dramatic final in Mumbai.
He is a former Test and one day captain who was last August sacked as Windies T20 captain and dropped from the squad.
Sammy recently turned out in the Bangladesh Premier League for Rajshahi Kings where his captaincy proved pivotal in taking them to the final.
He will be one of several stars set to play in the March 8-12 tournament, with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara signing for Galaxy Gladiators Lantau and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi lining up for Kowloon Cantons.
Tournament Director Max Abbott said Sammy’s arrival would be a tremendous lift for the showpiece.
“It’s been a huge week for the tournament with Afridi, Sangakkara and now Darren Sammy signing on for the Blitz,” Abbott said.
“Credit to the Jaguars for bringing such a popular player that is one of the most entertaining characters in world cricket. It’s going to be a huge boost for cricket in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong Island United and City Kaitak are the other two teams in the tournament.
