Afridi played in the inaugural BBL last year with the Melbourne Renegades. -File photo

SYDNEY: Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi and West Indies’ Chris Gayle have signed to play in Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition for the Sydney Thunder, the team said Monday.

Gayle is returning to the team where last season he smashed an unbeaten century off 54 deliveries, including 11 sixes, against Adelaide and who finished the competition with an average of 42 for the Thunder with 252 runs.

“After my experience last year, I always wanted to return,” said the West Indian who hit the most sixes in the Big Bash League last season with 22.

“I love Sydney, so I cannot wait to get amongst the guys again.”

Afridi played in the inaugural BBL last year with the Melbourne Renegades, finishing among the league's top 10 wicket-takers and posting a respectable average of 23 with the bat.

“I was approached by a few teams in the BBL and opted for Sydney Thunder as I feel there is a real drive and passion to be successful this time around, and this is something I want to be part of,” Afridi said.

The eight-team BBL begins on December 7.

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...