PSL 2020: Ben Dunk reveals why he always chews gum while batting

Ben Dunk of Lahore Qalandars has made the team to watch out for after the perennial table bottom franchise, has won three out of their last four matches after they had lost first three encounters. Now the franchise is at the fifth spot in the points table with six points with three wins and four losses.

However, their biggest win came against Karachi Kings recently, when despite giving away 187 after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Alex Hales slammed 80* in 43 balls with 5 sixes and 6 fours, while Chadwick Walton made 45 in 20 balls with 5 sixes and 2 fours. The duo added 93 runs in just over six overs. Mohammad Amir then jolted Qalandars by removing opener Fakhar Zaman for a duck in the first over.

Then came the tornado in form of Ben Dunk, who along with skipper Sohail Akhtar (68*), took the chase by the scruff of its neck. Dunk, the Stone-Cold Steve Austin doppelganger, hit 99* in 40 balls with an astonishing 12 sixes and 3 fours, as Kings’ bowlers found themselves answerless to his assault and the 140-run partnership between the two.

‘Nothing special in chewing gum’: Ben Dunk

The Australian dasher is known to chew gum constantly on the field and speaking to the press after the match, Dunk elaborated on his habit. “There is nothing special in the gum, I chew it to remain focused on the task. Chewing gum is perhaps not such a good habit and I should not be doing it. It is being highlighted more in the videos. But I only do it to stay calm and focused on my task in the game,” Dunk was quoted as saying by Geo.tv.

Dunk missed out on a T20 century for the second time this month, as he had previously made 93 for Qalandars against Gladiators. However, the wicketkeeper-batsman said that as long as the team wins, he has no problem missing out on centuries. He also acknowledged the support crowd has given the team throughout the PSL, which is being held entirely in Pakistan for the first time.

He also mentioned that he has been given a job to do by the team management and as long as he performs the role to the tee, he is happy. “I have to play the role in the batting lineup that is assigned to me by the team management. I always try and play according to the need of the team. The batting number does not matter, I always give my best,” he signed off.