'Peshawar Zalmi is my baby'- Darren Sammy denies reports of his rift with the franchise owner

Two-time ICC T20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy raked up a plethora of headlines courtesy his cryptic tweet after he was ‘rested’ from Peshawar Zalmi’s playing XI for Monday’s fixture against Karachi Kings. 

Sammy, who will soon become the third International cricketer to be conferred with the honorary citizenship of a country- in his case Pakistan- has played a key role in bringing the Pakistan Super League back in the country. The former West Indian captain was ‘rested’ in favour of his compatriot Carlos Brathwaite with Wahab Riaz taking over the reins of the side.

The Peshawar Zalmi skipper took to Twitter to rake up a huge controversy after he wrote: “I’ve learned that you are important until you’ve completed your role. #dealingwithhumans.”

Following Sammy’s cryptic tweet, Waheed Khan- senior Sports Insider- confirmed that the tweet of the former was related to him being ‘rested’, adding that the team-management isn’t happy with the all-rounder and may well drop him from the next match.

“Darren Sammy was told to take a rest for the match against Karachi Kings and he tweeted this. Zalmi management is not happy and has told him this behavior/reaction is not on. It’s unlikely Sammy will play next game as Zalmi tries to settle on a combination,” Waheed tweeted.

Darren Sammy was told to take a rest for the match against KK and he tweeted this..Zalmi management not happy and have told him this behavior/reaction not on…unlikely Sammy will play next game as Zalmi trying to settle on a combination. pic.twitter.com/VzoGZeSBUK

— Waheed Khan (@waheedkhan) March 3, 2020

Darren Sammy refutes ‘laughable’ claims of his rift with Javed Afridi

 Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar, however, refuted Waheed’s theory and claimed that Sammy was dropped because of the same issues with Zalmi co-owner Javed Afridi that led to Shahid Afridi leave the franchise. Sammy, on Tuesday, took to Twitter to refute all such reports, clarifying that there is absolutely no issue between him and his ‘bro’ Javed.

“I can’t believe that the media would think that my bro Javed Afridi and I would ever have an issue. I’m actually laughing at this. Listen, guys, I love this man as my own brother. Are you guys serious? Peshawar Zalmi is my baby and nothing comes between us. Absolutely nothing,” the two-time World Cup winner said.

I can’t believe that the media would think that my bro @JAfridi10 and I would ever have an issue. I’m actually laughing at this. Listen guys I love this man as my own brother. Are u guys serious @PeshawarZalmi is my baby and nothing comes between us. Absolutely nothing. pic.twitter.com/oRc5J5EiCN

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) March 3, 2020