PSL 2022: James Foster replaces Daren Sammy as Peshawar Zalmi head coach

Daren Sammy will not be with the Peshawar Zalmi for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League, which gets underway from January 27 in Karachi. Former England wicketkeeper James Foster, the assistant coach of the team, has been promoted as the head coach of the Zalmi management, while the franchise top-brass is in talks with Sammy regarding his role extension as a mentor.

It is learnt that Sammy needed some time off and apologised for his late pullout owing to personal commitments. The West Indies all-rounder has been a vital cog of the team since the beginning of PSL, having served as the vice-captain before taking over the leadership role in the aftermath of Shahid Afridi’s resignation in 2017.

Sammy led the team to a title in 2017 and also during the runners-up finishes in 2018 and 2019 before being replaced by Wahab Riaz, who was named the full-time captain in the middle of the 2020 edition, with Sammy taking over the head coach role.

Meanwhile, the Zalmi management were in search of a head coach option given Sammy’s broadcasting commitments, although the management is still inclined to have him as a part of the leadership group due to his significant contributions in the past towards both the team and Pakistan cricket in general. The 38-year-old Sammy, who is currently representing the World Giants in the Legends League Cricket in Oman, is yet to announce retirement from professional cricket.

As for Foster, the former English player is set to add another major coaching experience in his attractive CV, having worked in various franchise-based short-format leagues including the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League.

The seventh edition of PSL is set to be played at two camps as the action will move from Karachi, which will host the first 15 fixtures, to Lahore, where the remaining 15 league games and four playoffs are scheduled.

Peshawar Zalmi, who will start their campaign against Quetta Gladiators on January 28, are the league’s second-most successful franchise after Islamabad United, having won 38 of their 70 games.