GAYLE: IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE BATTING WITH MCCULLUM

Two of the world's most destructive T20 batsmen are combining in the BPL

Chris Gayle says it is a privilege to be opening the batting with Brendon McCullum again for the first time in seven years.

The explosive pair have been reunited by the Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League and will set out to the crease together this weekend, with the Comilla Victorians the unlucky opponents charged with stopping two of the most prolific T20 batsmen in history on Saturday.

Gayle, who averages 40.5 with the bat in the format and has hit 18 T20 centuries, is excited to reignite a combination that was first assembled by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

"We know how destructive Brendon McCullum is," Gayle said. "It is a privilege to open the batting with him again.

"We opened together way back in the IPL. Now, we are joining forces again. It is new for both of us to come in and go for a blast, but we have experience. The expectation is high on us to deliver. We want to try our best and win the game tomorrow.

"Everyone in Bangladesh wants to be entertained by two great entertainers in myself and McCullum.

^{Chris Gayle is playing in the Bangladesh Premier League}

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"This is why the pressure is going to be on us. But we expect these things. The crowd is going to be very noisy. It is going to be fantastic if we can get off to a start, hitting a lot of boundaries and get the crowd excited. Maybe the other guys can build up from it and see what total we can set or get."

Rangpur have endured a mixed start to their BPL season, winning one and losing two of their opening three matches.

But things are expected to change at the Shere Bangla National Stadium this weekend.

"We are both thinking the same. We have to work on our game plan. There's nothing to prove between me and McCullum," Gayle said.

"We just have to go out there, enjoy it and exploit the conditions and play according to the situation. If a particular bowler needs to be taken down, we will work on it as much as possible."