Guptill hopes to beat the UAE heat

KARACHI: Martin Guptill is the most elegant and destructive opener of New Zealand. He is set to make his PSL debut for holders Karachi Kings in Abu Dhabi as the event resumes on June 9.

Having played his last T20 International game against Bangladesh at Auckland on April 1, the right-handed dashing batsman hopes his rustiness with the bat and the UAE heat would not affect his performance.

“Hopefully not,” Guptill told reporters in a virtual news conference in the lead up to the PSL Abu Dhabi leg which is set to begin at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

“I did have a few nets before I came over here. After having spent time in the quarantine I have been training every day. It has been nice to go into the nets and face bowling. We are training tonight as well. I have been improving in a few things on which I am working. Hopefully, it will be a nice event,” Guptill said.

“I will be batting up the order and try to score some quick runs and put up a few good performances and will love to lift the trophy,” said Guptill, who is the first Kiwi cricketer to have hit a double century in one-day cricket.

Asked if he would be comfortable to bat at No3 in the presence of openers Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam, Guptill said, “It’s better to ask the coach. I don’t know what they are thinking. Batting up the order I will try my best to contribute to the team’s cause,” he said.

Guptill said that Kings can defend the title. “It’s a great team. Although it will be the first time they will be doing that but we can do that,” said Guptill, who has been playing a key role in New Zealand’s white ball cricket.

He said everybody is looking forward to the event to start this week. “It’s great to be here and the feeling in the camp is good. Everybody is excited and looking forward to seeing the event started,” he said.

Guptill said that he has heard about PSL and it has high standard. “This is not actually the first time I will play with Babar. I was with him in CPL in 2017 and it’s nice to meet him. I am also excited to meet with new faces and Chadwick Walton who I know from CPL,” Guptill said.

“I have heard a lot about PSL. A lot of people have played in this tournament. It has a high standard. We have trained here for a few days and the young talent that is going to be on show is very exciting and it’s great for Pakistan cricket,” he said.

Guptill said that playing in the hot UAE conditions would be a challenge. “We will struggle, unfortunately, with the heat. I have come over here from winter back home into the 40 degree celsius heat and it’s really going to be a challenge. But at the end of the day it will be the same for everyone and I have planned how to cope with the heat,” he said.