PSL 2019: Graeme Smith believes AB de Villiers' presence will inspire Pakistan youngsters

Waseem Ahmed 22:32 18/02/2019
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  • Lahore captain AB de Villiers (l). Image; @thePSLt20/Twitter.

    Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith has lauded his compatriot AB de Villiers for throwing his support behind expediting the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

    Brought by Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) player draft, de Villiers had delighted fans with his commitment to playing in the Pakistan-leg of the tournament.

    As many as eight matches in the 2019 edition of the PSL will take place on Pakistan soil with the Qalandars due to play their final two league fixtures at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on March 9 and 10.

    Smith, who is covering the UAE-leg of the tournament as a commentator, believes the decision of de Villiers and several other foreign stars will go a long way in strengthening the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

    “I think the more competitive teams in the world cricket is the better and to have a better and stronger Pakistan team and the fan base there is crucial for the future of the game,” Smith told the PSL website.

    “It’s fantastic that AB has been able to put his weight behind Pakistan cricket.

    “A few South Africa guys went to Pakistan with the ICC World XI in 2017 and having a big name like AB going to Pakistan, it will be amazing. Hopefully, it goes well and then it can set the standards in bringing more big names and more international cricket back to Pakistan.”

    De Villiers is yet to get firing for Lahore in the PSL so far with a high score of 24 from his three innings but Smith believes his mere presence is enough to inspire plenty of the young Pakistan players on show in the tournament.

    “There has been tough competition in this PSL. These players will learn from AB, who has been able to capture the imagination of cricket fans all around the world with the way he plays his cricket,” he said.

    “It’s fantastic to have someone like him. It’s good that there are players who bring a good name to this event and creates credibility for the competition and the next thing is that AB scores big somewhere in the competition. But his presence will help youngsters learn a lot of things, from playing to work ethics.”

    Lahore and de Villiers will be next in action on February 22 at Sharjah when they take on Multan Sultans. With Mohammad Hafeez being ruled out of the remainder of the PSL due to an injury, de Villiers has been named as skipper of the franchise.

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