Gayle says he does not know how he was picked for BPL

Caribbean superstar Chris Gayle has said that he does not know how his name came to the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) or how he was picked in the draft.

After finishing his stint in the Mzansi Super League, Gayle talked about taking a break from cricket and not participating in Windies' tour to India or the Big Bash this year. 

He said, "The West Indies Cricket Board asked me to play in the India series, but I am not playing. The selectors want that I play with the youngsters. But I am taking a break from cricket for this year."

The left-handed batsman, who is known all around the globe for his hard-hitting credentials, expressed his surprise on how his name reached the BBPL or how he was picked by a team from the draft. He said, "I am not playing in the Big Bash this year. I don't know what kind of cricket is waiting for me ahead. Even I don't know how my name reached the BPL. A team has picked me, but I do not know how." 

Chattogram Challengers picked up Chris Gayle as their first pick in the BBPL draft, which happened earlier this month. 

Chattogram Challengers team director and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Jalal Yunus was shocked to acknowledge the fact that Gayle did not know anything about being picked in the BBPL. 

He said, "Our planning was done considering Gayle, we took him in the first call. If he does not arrive, we will be in big trouble. Even if we replace him, (the replacement) will not be the same as him. If we knew earlier, we would have taken Thisara Perera or someone else in the draft. It is tough to take someone good enough now." 

He also added that they are already concerned with Mahmudullah's injury and Gayle's absence would only add up to their troubles. 

The BBPL kicks off with an opening ceremony on December 8, followed by the opening match on the 11th of December at Dhaka.