Faf: Playing in Pakistan ‘bigger than the game itself’
South Africa international Faf du Plessis on Monday said being part of a series in Pakistan is something he will remember for a long time and the matches would be “bigger than the game itself”.
Du Plessis will captain a World XI that will contest three T20 Internationals against the hosts in Lahore on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
The Proteas Test skipper is joined in the World XI squad by international teammates Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel, David Miller and Imran Tahir while New Zealand’s Grant Elliott and England’s Paul Collingwood also made the trip.
ALSO READ: Amla excited to be part of something special in Pakistan
It will most high profile games to be staged in Pakistan since gunmen attacked a Sri Lanka team bus in 2009 although Zimbabwe did tour the country for a short limited-overs series in 2015.
Du Plessis told a reporters in Lahore: “When I sit down with my family some day and we talk about this, it’s something I would be glad to have been a part of.
“It is obviously a huge honour to be with everyone today, it is fair to say that it would actually be the first time that we actually come in to play cricket for something that is bigger than the game itself.
“I am proud to be captain of the World XI, to be bringing international cricket back to Pakistan.”
Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower, who is the coach of the World XI, said he was proud to have been given the honour of being named as coach and the return of international cricket to Pakistan should be celebrated.
“We are celebrating the return of international cricket to Pakistan,” said Flower.
“This brave nation had to suffer absence of international cricket for a very long time.”
Latest
-
NewsMisbah-ul-Haq resigns Pakistan chief selector post to remain coach
Misbah’s decision may very well be motivated by changes to the new rules surrounding designed to eliminate conflicts of interest.
-
NewsAdil Rashid pens white-ball contract extension with Yorkshire for 2021 season
Rashid has had no involvement in any red-ball cricket since earning the last of 19 Test caps in the Caribbean in January 2019.
-
NewsOn this day in 2006: Pakistan pair test positive for nandrolone
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were withdrawn from the 2006 Champions Trophy after the results.
-
NewsEngland invited to Pakistan for white-ball series in early 2021
The proposed tour is set to comprise three Twenty20 matches.
-
NewsAussie finisher Glenn Maxwell doesn’t play to the gallery
Glenn Maxwell hasn’t come off with the bat in IPL 13 just yet but the Australian isn’t letting that rent space in his head.
-
NewsJayawardene backs quicks to continue to impact IPL
Will quick bowlers continue to impact the IPL even as the pitches get slower and lower? The Mumbai Indians coach thinks so.
-
NewsSouth African cricketer’s union calls on CSA board to resign
The South African Cricketers’ Association have issued a fresh call for the entire CSA board to stand aside as government intervention looms.
-
NewsQuestion marks over England trip to South Africa after government row
Cricket South Africa has been given until October 27 to prevent political intervention.
-
NewsAdil Rashid ponders shouldering responsibility of England Test return
The 32-year-old has not played red-ball cricket since January 2019.
-
NewsDhoni: Sam Curran is a complete cricketer
The Chennai Super Kings used Sam Curran as an opening batsman in their 20-run victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.