Excited to play my part in Pak cricket revival: de Villiers

DUBAI: South African great AB de Villiers says he is excited to be featuring in Pakistan Super League (PSL) and that he would like to play a role in the revival of cricket in the country.

“I am very happy to be a part of the league. It is really exciting and the quality of cricket is very good,” de Villiers told the official website of the league. “It is quite nice to be playing cricket, enjoying it and being part of a very nice team. They are good human beings and it is exciting. We are really working hard in the league.

“The Lahore guys are very good people. The owner (Fawad Rana), Sameen Rana and right through the coaching staff and the players are good friends, so we get along well and we have fantastic energy,” said the Lahore Qalandars’ player.“It is right up there with some of the best cricket that I have played,” the former South African wicketkeeper batsman said.

He said Pakistan players deserved to have cricket in their home country. “I feel they (Pakistan) have a very rich history in cricket. They are a very proud nation of cricket and have a rich tradition. I feel they deserved to have cricket in their home country. If I could contribute, in any way, in helping that happen, even if it is 0.01 percent then I am very happy to do so,” he said.

Talking about the World Cup, de Villiers said it was difficult to predict the winners. “You can’t look past India and Pakistan in the ODIs. Pakistan won the Champions Trophy, England are the hosts and you cannot discount Australia. South Africa would like to think they can win, so these are the five I have named who are the real big favourites,” he explained.