The unseen photo was taken during their visit to India to promote their 2017 action movie 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage'
The hot UAE weather conditions could pose a challenge to the players when the Pakistan Super League (PSL) resumes in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
But thanks to the arrangements made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the six franchises, the players have been armed with coconut water and ice vests to fight the summer heat.
And hard-hitting New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill, who has joined the defending champions Karachi Kings for the remaining matches of the PSL, praised the organisers for their efforts in helping the players deal with the weather conditions.
“Heat could be an issue, but the organisers are doing their best to minimise the risk,” Guptill said during a virtual press conference on Monday.
“We need to be careful and need to take a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. Since I have come from New Zealand I need to be more careful. I hope we will able to manage these tough conditions in the UAE capital.”
The sixth edition of the league was suspended in March after just 14 matches in Pakistan due to multiple Covid-19 cases inside the bio-bubble.
Guptill joined the Kings as a replacement player after the PCB decided to bring the remaining PSL matches to the UAE.
And the Kiwi stroke-maker says he can’t wait to bat with Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam.
“I am excited to join the defending champions Karachi Kings. It will be fun to share the crease with one of the best batsmen of the world, Babar Azam,” Guptill said.
“I have played in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Big Bash and playing in the PSL will be fun,” he added.
Since Babar and Sharjeel Khan open the innings for Karachi, Guptill’s batting position is not yet clear.
“Babar and Sharjeel have done well for their team and I am ready to bat at any position the team management decides,” he said.
“I am in a great shape and there is no question of rustiness. The training sessions before the tournament will be a great help to gain match fitness.”
Guptill then praised the quality of Pakistan players in the PSL, while revealing his admiration for Babar.
“He (Babar) has proved himself at international level and is one of the best batsmen in the world right now. Pakistan has produced a number of quality batsmen in the past and Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf were two of them,” the 34-year-old Kiwi said.
“I have played against Younis and Yousuf and it was a privilege. I have seen a lot of young talent in the Karachi side and it is good for Pakistan cricket’s future. I am really impressed by the quality of fast bowling in the PSL,” he added.
“It is always a challenge to face bowlers of quality of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali.”
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com
The unseen photo was taken during their visit to India to promote their 2017 action movie 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage'
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