Former West Indian captain Daren Sammy has said that there is no security problem in Pakistan. He also expressed his disappointment at New Zealand cancelling its Pakistan series due to “security reasons”.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Sammy said that field experts are saying that if Pakistan is safe, then one should trust then. “I have been coming to Pakistan for the last 6 years, it has always been a good experience.”
While talking about New Zealand cancelling the tour, he said: “I was very disappointed with New Zealand’s decision. There is no security problem in Pakistan. I remember people used to ask me to go to Pakistan or not but now people ask me to go to Pakistan and play golf and eat.”
“نیوزی لینڈ کےفیصلے پربہت مایوسی ہوئی. پاکستان میں سیکورٹی کا کوئی مسئلہ نہیں. مجھے یاد ہےپہلےلوگ پوچھتےتھے پاکستان جائیں یا نہیں مگر اب لوگ پوچھتے ہیں پاکستان جاکر گالف کہاں کھیلیں کھانا کہاں کھائیں. “ ڈیرن سمی#GeoNews#NayaPakistanpic.twitter.com/lzmsQpExDV
He said that attacks have taken place in New Zealand and England, incidents have also been seen in Australia, and incidents are happening everywhere in the world but there is no noise. He also added that the situation in Pakistan has changed. “Earlier, people used to ask, is it safe to go to Pakistan? Now people ask where to go and eat in Pakistan.”
The New Zealand cricket team cancelled their tour shortly before the first ODI match against Pakistan on the grounds of security reasons, which has drawn frustration from cricket fans all over the world. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take a strong stand against the New Zealand Cricket Board.
Daren Sammy has collaborated with a brand to get his very own perfume ’88 Special’.
Asgharali Perfumes has collaborated with the former West Indian captain to release a cologne honouring him called ’88 Special’.
“Infinite doses of passion. Available in UAE and Pakistan and coming soon to the USA & Caribbean,” wrote Sammy while introducing his fragrance on social media.
But this isn’t the first time that Sammy has talked about launching his fragrance. While talking to The Current in an exclusive interview, Daren said: “I am super happy to partner with Asgharali to create this amazing fragrance. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people through my playing and in the stadiums. It is my goal to continue this connection by creating a scent that will exhibit the passion, power, and pleasure that is within us all.”
“My desire is that people will feel like a champion; like everything is possible and that no matter where you started in life; greatness is in you. I’m already very happy with the new signature scents for men and women that Asgarali has created and the exquisite packaging design. I can’t wait to share it with you all,” he had added.
However, the new deal under the Daren Sammy trademark will include a signature fragrance for men and women.
Pakistan’s speedster Wahab Riaz has thanked Daren Sammy after receiving the new fragrance as a present.
“Thank you Skipper @darensammy88 for this lovely fragrance, I loved the packing and the bottle is as classy as you’re. Congratulations and all the best for this new innings. I’m sure you’ll rock it too, wrote Riaz on his Twitter.
West Indies cricket great Daren Sammy has shared that Shoaib Akhtar made him question himself on his debut that whether he wanted to play cricket again or not.
In an exclusive interview with The Current, Sammy shared many things about his experience with Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi, Pakistan’s tour and hospitality, PSL memories and his debut.
Talking about his first encounter with Akhtar, he said: “When I made my debut for the West Indies in the Champions Trophy, I remember Pakistan playing West Indies at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire and they were opening with Mohammad Sami, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.”
“I saw Shoaib Akhtar bowling a bouncer to Brian Lara and hit him in the head. Brian Lara fell back probably almost unconscious. I was sitting and I was 19 years old next to Dwayne Bravo. I literally questioned whether I wanted to play cricket again. Shoaib Akhtar did that to me,” said Sammy.
The former all-rounder further revealed that he told this story to Shoaib Akhtar himself a few days ago in Islamabad.
“I met him four days ago in Islamabad and I gave him that story. He said ‘Brian clipped him for four on the first ball’ and I guess that was his response. It was a joy to watch the Rawalpindi Express coming down with his hair flying. Shoaib Akhtar with his pace. In the current day, even though I am not playing I would pad up easily against any bowler and try to hit them out of the park,” he said.
Sammy further revealed that players touring Pakistan now ask about golf courses instead of questioning the security situation of the country.
Peshawar’s coach stated that bringing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to Pakistan was the first step that paved the way for cricket’s revival in the country.
“I am not sure [when West Indies will visit Pakistan next], I have not checked the calendar. But I think we were about to a year before last year. I think now the teams are coming. I remember us taking a small step in the PSL two and getting to the finals in Lahore. I think that was a small step in the right direction,” Sammy said.
He believed that the questions regarding security are slowly diminishing from players’ minds while visiting Pakistan.
“Now Hashim Amla and I were having a conversation and I think Javed asks what the difference is between now and five years ago. I think the major difference coming to Pakistan now, four years ago players would be calling me and go ‘Darren, I am going over there [Pakistan], do you think we should go?’ When West Indies was coming the captain had to call me and go, ‘Man should I go on this tour?’. Now players asking where they can play golf and questions like can we go to dinner in these or these places. The quote-unquote threat of security, that is slowly diminishing from people’s minds and I think that is what we want,” he concluded.
Talking about his favourite memory from the PSL, Sammy shared that his favourite memory was when they clinched the the cup in the second season of PSL.
For more interesting revelations, watch the video here:
After playing tape-ball cricket with fans on the streets of Lahore, West Indian cricketer Daren Sammy was spotted soaking in the snow-capped peaks of Swat and Northern Pakistan.
Sharing a picture of himself in the mountains, the Peshawar Zalmi coach expressed his gratitude towards exploring Pakistan as a tourist.
“I was disappointed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) got postponed but I’m super grateful I got to discover the beauty of Pakistan outside of cricket,” said Sammy.
Meanwhile, Kamran Akmal also shared a video of Sammy and himself enjoying his the first ever Zip Line experience on Twitter, he wrote: “First ever Zip line Experience #MalamJabba and it was just great…MaShaAllah Pakistan is so beautiful.”
“Thanks @PeshawarZalmi for arranging a family trip to MalamJabba it’s been a beautiful trip.Thanks to Local management for your hospitality Pakistan Flag of Pakistan Zindabad,” he added.
First ever Zip line Experience #MalamJabba and it was just great…MaShaAllah Pakistan is so beautiful Thanks @PeshawarZalmi for arranging a family trip to MalamJabba it’s been a beautiful trip.Thanks to Local management for your hospitality Pakistan Zindabad pic.twitter.com/sdWr8aan9k
PSL’s sixth edition — which started on February 20 — was postponed on March 4 due to rising COVID-19 cases among players and officials involved in the tournament.
While several foreign players departed for their respective countries after the tournament was suspended, Hashim Amla and Sammy had prolonged their stay in the country due to some professional commitments.
During their tour of Pakistan’s norther areas, Amla, Sammy, Kamran Akmal and other players from the Peshawar Zalmi were also spotted socialising with fans.
Peshawar Zalmi Head Coach Daren Sammy was spotted playing cricket with locals on the roads of Lahore.
After the abrupt end of the PSL 2021 due to an outbreak of COVID-19, Sammy is also an honorary citizen of Pakistan, opted to stay back in the country and experience it as a tourist. And one of those experiences include playing street cricket.
In a video posted on Peshawar Zalmi’s official account, the former West Indies player can be seen playing tape-ball cricket.
“Peshawar Zalmi Head Coach Daren Sammy stops on his way to play cricket with young cricketers in Lahore,” read the caption.
Sharing pictures, Sammy said: “Played some street tape ball cricket earlier in Lahore. Where’s next?”
Earlier, Afridi hosted a dinner in honour of Sammy and South African cricket great Hashim Amla. Captain of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal were also present at the feast.
West Indian Cricketer Chris Gayle, renowned for his jolly and fun-loving personality, recently took the ‘Shalwar Challenge’ in a video shared by the official accounts of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Earlier, the 41-year-old cricketer who was excited to be in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, said that he’s eager to score runs for his new PSL franchise, Quetta Gladiators, and show the fans what he is and what they missed in all these years. After scoring 68 runs off just 44 deliveries against Lahore Qalandars, he also treated audiences to his googly dance.
Later Quetta Gladiators also shared Gayle’s famous googly dance on their social media platforms.
