The West Indian legendary batsman is now in Dhaka to take part in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 Cricket for league leader Chattogram Challengers.
“A lot of peoples still want to see Chris Gayle in the middle. I still have a love and passion for the game. I would love to carry my career as long as possible in T20 and franchise cricket,” said Gayle.
“I am still playing games here and there around the world because I think I have to deliver a lot and more. I am feeling good physically and I am sure I am getting younger as the days are passing, I am looking forward, I think I may carry my career till 45,” the 40-year-old Gayle told the media at the national academy ground Mirpur on Thursday.
Gayle started playing cricket in 1999. He is the only active cricketer who started playing international cricket last century. The dashing batsman said he is still enjoying playing cricket at the top level.
“It’s been 20 years of international cricket and 20 years of cricket in general. So there is always life after cricket and this is the time where you can put some plans in place as well. I have still been enjoying my game,” he added.
After joining BPL, Gayle played one match for the Chattogram Challengers and posted 23 runs against Rajshahi Royals. Challengers booked a place in the playoff of BPL as the first team. Gayle said he is happy to be with a team who are at the top of the table.
“The guys have been playing wonderful cricket and are in the top of the table. It's actually easy to fit in, make my impact when I get a chance in the second game. I joined the League (BPL) in late due to family and personal commitments,” he added.
“There are some new teammates as well and most of the guys I have played with or against as well, but we’re teammates now. The team has been doing well, so actually, it’s good to be in this position where I can give myself a chance to get set and acclimatize as quickly as possible,” he further told the media.
Gayle holds the record of smashing five centuries in BPL, the most by any batsman. The southpaw also scored 1338 runs in BPL which is the record for runs scored by a foreigner in the most prestigious T20 event of Bangladesh. The Caribbean batting stalwart also holds the record of scoring the highest number of runs in T20 format (13,152) as well as the record for most centuries (22).