Brendan Taylor said he is enjoying the Bangladesh Premier League as he is among the top run-getters with 249 for the Chittagong Kings after a scintillating start to the campaign.
Taylor, captain of the Zimbabwe national side, has struck three fifties so far with a strike rate of 125 and the wicketkeeper-batsman is now second in the scorers’ list among foreigners.
‘I am enjoying it as it is a thoroughly competitive tournament,’ Taylor told reporters on Wednesday. ‘I have been here for quite some time and the boys looked after us pretty well and they made us homely. I’m quite enjoying it.’
Taylor was made captain of Kings after Mahmudullah had stepped down and the right-hander overnight changed the fortune of the struggling side, leading them to crushing wins in their last two matches.
Besides his shrewd work behind the stumps, Taylor also contributed heavily with the bat in their eight-wicket and 54-run wins, respectively over Khulna Royal Bengals and Dhaka Gladiators.
Taylor, who is the highest run-scorer for his side, has now a crucial role to play if his side are to progress to the semi-finals in a tight race where all seven franchises have some kind of chance.
‘In the BPL it’s been excellent [for me],’ said Taylor. Still a lot of cricket to go but it is important to keep the momentum going. As a whole team we all need to come up and give some key performances for a place in the semi-final.’
Other than Taylor, who averaged 49.80 from seven matches, some other Zimbabwean cricketers like Elton Chigumbura and Hamilton Mazakadza are also plying their trade in the BPL and tasting some success.
Taylor attributed the success to their familiarity with the Bangladesh condition and their relatively better skill with the new ball. He said: ‘Possibly [it is happening] because they have a better understanding. A lot of Zimbabwean players are coming to bat at the top and that is because it is much easier with the new ball.
‘Seeing the Zimbabweans contributing is excellent but the pitches are going to be worn out and it would be turning, so as the tournament progresses it is going to be tougher.’
With some fine performances along the way, Taylor said he also has developed a good rapport with his team-mates.
His constant chirping behind the stumps help inspire his side when the chips are down and Taylor has admitted he shares a friendly relation with all of his team-mates.
‘I have developed some good friendships but some of the rivalry was pretty entertaining too. I am sure that will continue and we hope to remain good friends,’ he said.
-With New Age input
