West Indies premier batsman Chris Gayle and Afghanistan spin sensation Rashid Khan have returned home for national duty after appearing in just two matches each in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021.

The ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is running strongly at the moment. However, the two biggest overseas players Chris Gayle and Rashid Khan, who represented Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars respectively, in the ongoing tournament, ended their stint with franchises due to international commitments.

Gayle is due to play against Sri Lanka at home while Rashid has been called up to play against Zimbabwe.

While addressing his departure Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who impressed everyone with his leg-spin bowling and all-around abilities in both the matches in Karachi, said that it was a great experience for him to play in PSL for the first time. 

PSL 2021: WATCH - Rashid Khan finishes the chase for Lahore Qalandars with a 'mini' helicopter shot

“It was a great experience playing in the PSL for the first time and hopefully I can be back next year, ”  Rashid Khan said. 

Talking about the same West Indies explosive opener Chris Gayle, who hit a quickfire 68 on Monday, was disappointed to leave PSL and said that he wanted to dominate the tournament and give fans something to cheer about. 

“It's sad that I have to leave PSL because I wanted to play the full season. I wanted to come here and dominate the PSL. I wanted to give the fans something to cheer about,”  Chris Gayle said. 

Gayle further said that he's glad that he can bring smiles and joy to some people by playing cricket in tough times.  

“For me just to be playing cricket during a worldwide pandemic is very emotional and I am just happy that I can bring smiles and joy to some people with my cricket in these tough times,” he said.

With Chris Gayle not being a part of the squad anymore, Quetta Gladiators have signed South Africa's Faf du Plessis as a replacement.

(PTI inputs)