Darren Sammy appointed head coach, Wahab Riaz new captain of Peshawar Zalmi

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

The Peshawar Zalmi management announced on Thursday that it has appointed Darren Sammy as the new head coach of the team and Wahab Riaz as the new captain during a press conference in Rawalpindi.

The current head coach Muhammad Akram will become the director of cricket for the Peshawar Zalmi franchise.

Speaking at the press conference, Sammy said that he had realised he was not "fully fit" while playing over the last two years. "My fitness and form are not what they need to be in order to win games for Zalmi.

"I had a fantastic time with Peshawar Zalmi but now I realise that I am not fit enough to play, I will play my last game as a player today," he added.

Peshawar Zalmi were scheduled to play their seventh match against defending champions Quetta Gladiators at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that Sammy would be awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan and honorary citizenship on March 23 for his "invaluable contribution to cricket in the country".

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

PSL2020

Sport

PM Imran praises Sammy, Amla for supporting Pakistan cricket

Darren Sammy to be given honorary citizenship on March 23, says PCB

PSL among world’s top T20 leagues, says Hashim Amla

Waseem Sarwar

Mar 05, 2020 08:28pm

Sammy has been the face of the Zalmi franchise especially when Afridi moved after the first season but he hasn't contributed anything with bat or ball from the last couple of seasons so it's a win-win for everyone. Akram moves to the admin side of the things while Sammy gets the experience of coaching.

Recommend 0

Aleema Khan

Mar 05, 2020 09:15pm

Thank you Sammy for being honest.

Recommend 0

Nasir S.

Mar 05, 2020 09:19pm

So how does a captain show up to play unfit and is then benched. Midway through a tournament he is made coach. Is this a joke or anprefessional team. We are giving guys like this citizenship? Seriously?

Recommend 0

Vikram

Mar 05, 2020 09:24pm

Nishan-e-Pakistan

Recommend 0

GENIUS

Mar 05, 2020 10:25pm

In this way he will be Prime Minister for Pakistan soon

Recommend 0

Nitin

Mar 05, 2020 10:35pm

They make him big, give him citizenship, honour and suddenly realise he's not good. This guy is not part of any team worldwide.

Recommend 0

ashu

Mar 05, 2020 10:50pm

@Nasir S. , yes you paid for coming to play there & risking his life

Recommend 0

Salman

Mar 06, 2020 01:43am

@Nasir S. , Sammy’s contribution for PSL are beyond a player’s role. If today’s PSL is happening in Pakistan he played big role to make it happen.

Recommend 0

Hadi

Mar 06, 2020 02:28am

Thank you Darren Sammy! You will be loved and adored by the faithful followers of Pakistan cricket and the Peshawar Zalmi franchise.

Recommend 0

ratan bhai

Mar 06, 2020 03:30am

After getting PAK citizenship he cannot play, this is weird, take citizenship away.

Recommend 0

ratan bhai

Mar 06, 2020 03:33am

Sammy - smart move to coach as you get payed 50K peanuts for playing.

Recommend 0

ratan bhai

Mar 06, 2020 03:37am

@Nasir S. , Sammy is taking advantage of Pak, sad.

Recommend 0

Aussie Deem

Mar 06, 2020 04:30am

@Nasir S. , Hang on buddy and hold your horses on such thoughts. Sammy has contributed a lot to promote Pakistan as a peaceful and cricket loving country, more than you ever have or will contribute to the betterment of Pakistan. He is an inspiration both on and off the field, and it is an excellent decision by him and Peshawar Zalmi. Bravo to both..

Recommend 0

Vikramsinh

Mar 06, 2020 06:27am

PSL for you. Good morning.

Recommend 0

Larkanavi

Mar 06, 2020 07:38am

While we must appreciate Darren Sammy's contribution towards cricket in Pakistan and he deserves to be rewarded in some form but giving him Nishan-e-Pakistan, is simply unbelievable. There is no doubt we are a nation of sentimental people with little or no logic behind our decisions.

Recommend 0

Gan Duimran

Mar 06, 2020 09:37am

Can anyone name the foreign players in PSL? Then from these names select ones that are actually known worldwide..and then from these select ones that are not retired. How many did you get?

Recommend 0

Arqam Hashmi

Mar 06, 2020 10:13pm

Apparently, he was reluctant to make this decision of coaching..and there was some persuasion needed from the Zalmi management to finally come to this decision. Good for both, though I would have preferred they did this once the season was over, rather than doing this mid season.

Recommend 0

Imdad

Mar 06, 2020 11:09pm

@Nasir S. , disappear.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expands climate action with one Million Tree Drive and forest reforms

The province is turning policy into action through a series of large scale programmes aimed at rebuilding ecosystems and improving resilience against rising climate pressures.

Taptap Send, Arshad Nadeem partner to highlight Pakistan’s unsung champions

The initiative comes at a time when cricket continues to dominate national attention, often overshadowing achievements in other sports.

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.