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Gayle delighted to be part of Afghanistan Premier League

Sharjah - Playing with different franchises in different countries has its own set of obstacles

Cricket's most famous and most popular journeyman has graced the sport's new T20 League with his presence and said that he was delighted to be a part of something new.
West Indian Chris Gayle has played all around the world with different franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Caribbean's own League - the CPL, as well as the Australian Big Bash and the Bangladesh Premier League.
And the latest to add to his bludgeoning list is the Gulbahar Afghanistan Premier League in Sharjah where is turning out for the Balkh Legends.
The 39-year-old has missed the start of the tournament owing to his commitments back home where he was representing Jamaica in the WICB Regional Super 50 competition.
And Gayle signed off with a match-winning ton (122) for Jamaica against Barbados at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, to bring the curtains down on his List A career.
Gayle said that his first impression of the Afghanistan Premier League has been great.
"It has been good so far and it is good to be a part of something like this. And so far, it has been good for us, from a team point of view," Gayle said on Saturday night.
"Personally, it is good to share a dressing room with a new franchise and with some exciting youngsters as well," he added.
Playing with different franchises in different countries has its own set of obstacles but Gayle said it was how quickly you acclimatise.
"It is about how quickly you adapt. It is not that difficult. I've been in Dubai before as well. So, it is about how quickly you gel with each other," he revealed.
"Obviously, there will be some difficulties with guys who don't speak English. But you have guys who can translate to them and it has been good fun so far in the tournament," Gayle added.
When told that his team were virtually through to the play-offs, Gayle was quite pleased about it but said what happens in the end is what really matters.
"That's good news," said Gayle.
"That's the first objective for any team, to try and qualify first and be among the top four. That is something nice but when it comes to the play-offs, that's where it actually really counts," he added.