Mushrooming T20 leagues are melting pots: Delport
sharjah — With so many franchise-based T20 Leagues around the world at the moment, international players mingling with local talent isn’t a novelty anymore.
But Cameron Delport believes that such Leagues, apart from harnessing talent, is a learning experience about different cultures and where everlasting friendships are built.
The South African has made a life out being a freelance cricketer and has featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Australian Big Bash with Sydney Thunder, the Pakistan Super League with the Lahore Qalandars, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Bangladesh Premier League.
And the latest in his list of experiences is the inaugural Gulbahar Afghanistan Premier League where he is turning out with the Paktia Panthers.
“The guys are getting to know each other. They are hanging out more at breakfast now, chatting. Obviously, it is different cultures, different religions, different people but that’s why world cricket is great,” said Delport.
“You meet all these people from different cultures and religions and you get to know them and their families and talk about where they are from and how cricket is played back home. It is always nice to meet new people and these memories and friendships that you make are going to last forever,” he explained.
The left-handed Delport scored an unbeaten 70, with that being the cornerstone for Paktia’s 37run win over the Balkh Legends.
And the 29-year-old hoped that they can continue in the same vein. “Obviously, that wasn’t ‘A’ performance from us and we can do a lot better in the field, batting and bowling as well. Hopefully, boys want to keep winning and be positive.