HARARE - Bellingerent Zimbabwean batsman Charles “Chopper” Coventry has, at the last minute, become the fourth local to clinch a Bangladesh Premier League deal after signing for Duronto Rajshahi.

The 29-year-old Matabeleland Tuskers star’s Bangladesh deal comes as consolation after being omitted from Zimbabwe’s training squad for next month’s tour of the West Indies.

Other foreign professionals at Rajshahi are former Australia player Simon Katich, who will captain the side, as well as the pair of former Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Ervine and Englishman Moeen Ali, both teammates of Coventry at Matabeleland Tuskers in the Zimbabwean domestic league.

In August 2009, Coventry equalled the record for the highest individual ODI score by blasting an unbeaten 194 in the fourth match against Bangladesh in Bulawayo.

He has played 37 ODIs and nine T20s for Zimbabwe.

Captain Brendan Taylor, batsman Hamilton Masakadza and all-rounder Elton Chigumbura are the other Zimbabweans who signed up for Bangladesh’s T20 championship.

The Zimbabwe contingent left the country yesterday for the tournament, which started on Friday. - Sports Writer