The swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle, who took a break from cricket towards the end of 2019 is now back in action with the Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League. Gayle is still passionate about the game and he said that he would “love to carry on as long as possible” in competitive cricket.

“A lot of people still want (to) see Chris Gayle out there in the middle. I still have that love for the game and that passion for the game as well. And I would love to carry on as long as possible,” Gayle said.

While talking about playing in the franchise cricket, the left-hander said,” Even in franchise cricket I am still playing a few games here and there around the globe because I still feel I have a lot to offer.”

When asked about how long he wants to continue, the 40-year-old said, “Forty-five is a good number. Yeah, we can target 45. Let’s target 45, that’s a good number. The body is feeling good. And I am sure I am getting younger as days go on.”

Gayle has played about 300 ODIs and has over 10,000 runs to his name. But when it comes to T20s, the Jamaican has 1627 runs in 58 T20Is at an astonishing strike rate of 142.84.

Thus, even though he is not a part of the West Indies side taking on Ireland, he still remains a part of their T20 plans in a T20 World Cup year.

(With PTI inputs)