ABU DHABI: Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis today (Sunday), who represents Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, asserted that cricketers have lost interest in international cricket as franchise leagues were getting stronger all over the world.
Addressing a virtual press conference, Du Plessis said it was heartening to see the resumption of Pakistan Super League-6, after it was postponed in March due to some participants testing positive for Covid-19.
The South Africa batsman pointed out that the playing conditions were now different, hence all teams would start afresh. He further said his team was not at the position on the table where it should have been. “I try to share my experience with junior players in the team,” he said.
He said he was pleasantly surprised with the bowling talent in the PSL, as virtually all the teams had excellent bowlers in their line-up. He also lauded Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, saying that he always bucked up his teammates in the field. “Every captain has his own style, and Sarfaraz’s way of thinking is different,” he remarked.
Du Plessis also thrown his weight behind Quetta Gladiators’ teammate Azam Khan, after criticism regarding the latter’s fitness. He said that “you don’t have to have a six-pack to be successful”.
Talking about the World Cup favourites, Du Plesis said he believed that the West Indies and India were the favourites in the run up to the T20i World Cup, scheduled in October in the UAE this year.
