|| CF Correspondent || 

Chattogram Challengers is hopeful that they will get the service of Chris Gayle in the upcoming Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as he is available after January 4.

The participation of West Indies batsman Chris Gayle in the forthcoming Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League was thrown into doubt after the 40-year old cricketer said he was unaware about how his name got into the list for players’ draft.

Gayle was picked by Chattogram Challengers from a recent BPL players’ draft event, held on November 17 and during the programme, it was informed that he would be available for all the matches of the special edition of the tournament.

However, in a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Gayle expressed his surprise to be picked by one of the BPL teams and claimed that he didn’t even know how his named reached the BPL. 

Gayle also said that he would not play in the Big Bash this season as he planned to take a break for rest of the year.

‘I am not going to the Big Bash. I’m not sure what cricket will come up, I don’t even know how my name reached the BPL, but I have been drafted in a team and I don’t even know how that happened,’ Gayle was quoted in a cricket website.

The announcement was surprising to Challengers as they said they Gayle’s agent told them that the batsman is demanding more remuneration than he is supposed to get from Chattogram.

However, as per the latest development, Gayle’s agent confirmed that he is available from January 4 and Challengers officials said now they are planning to get him if he is required at that stage of the tournament.

If we need him at that point definitely we will bring him[ after January 4] but we have to understand where we stand in the tournament at that point of time,’’ said an official of Challengers.