West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels wishes to join Pak army, says he is Pakistani by heart

Karachi: West Indies batting star Marlon Samuels, who recently played the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, has expressed his desire to join the Pakistan Army.

Samuels, who was part of the PSL champions Peshawar Zalmi, has also thanked the country`s administration for the `top class` security arrangements put in place in Lahore for the summit clash.

Hours after Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met the PSL champions on Saturday, the West Indian, in a video message on Twitter, said, "For me it`s more than just coming to Pakistan to a play a game of cricket, it is the significance and success of the team and smiles on the faces of the people that are sad."

@MarlonSamuels7 Salute from the Whole Nation for such a marvellous words. You are the campions of the hearts.Special message to the Army 1/2 pic.twitter.com/8ppPIqG9ml — Javed Afridi (@JAfridi10) March 11, 2017

"I am a Pakistani at heart and that it is why it didn`t take me long to decide to come to Pakistan [to play the PSL final]," the Express Tribune quoted Samuels as saying in a video tweeted by Zalmi CEO Javed Afridi.

While addressing the Pakistani Army chief directly Samuels further said, "General, I wouldn`t mind coming to Pakistan if I get a metallic badge on my shoulder. I`m just waiting for the metals [badges] on my shoulder. I would want to be a part of the Pakistan Army.

"Responding to the video message, the Zalmi CEO said, "Your golden words are a message for the world that we are a peace loving nation and we love cricket," he said. "You are the champions of the hearts."

We Pakistani's will never forget your sacrifices ,ur golden words are a message for the world that we r peace loving nation n we love Crickt pic.twitter.com/rxYtjfZIMC — Javed Afridi (@JAfridi10) March 11, 2017