SHARJAH: Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes his former team-mate AB de Villiers’s decision to participate in the Pakistan Super League 2019, including featuring in matches in Lahore, will set standards in bringing more big names to the league, which, in turn, will make the cricket-starved country a formidable unit. Smith, 38, is in the United Arab Emirates as a commentator for the PSL and has been impressed in the opening week of the league and the talent it has been producing over four years. “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 2019 website. “It’s fantastic that AB has been able to put his weight behind Pakistan cricket,” said Smith of his colleague who joined Lahore for his first stint at the PSL. De Villiers has promised to play two matches in Lahore scheduled for 9 and 10 March, and vowed to play his part in bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. Smith mentioned five South Africa players becoming part of the ICC World XI, which played three Twenty20 Internationals in Lahore in September 2017. “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.”
Published in Daily Times, February 20th 2019.
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