"The passion for cricket in Pakistan is not something you can explain to people" : Faf du Plessis

[Abdullah719]

"The passion for cricket in Pakistan is not something you can explain to people" : Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis speaking after the last match of the Independence Cup:

"We came and wanted to play a small part in cricket coming back to Pakistan so that's been a huge success."

"From the World XI's point of view, just want to thank everyone for the opportunity to come here; the hospitality was amazing."

"We were joking about it, that this World XI tour should happen once a year as we all get better as a team! It was fantastic to play here and for some of the guys who don't play a lot of international cricket these days, this was great competition as Pakistan is a really strong side. Their bowling tonight was once again very strong."

"There's a lot more energy in this Pakistan team. As you saw tonight, their fielding is electric and that's something that's been a big change from Pakistan teams of old. You don't feel you can beat them in the field, they're as good as any team in the field."

"Skills wise, they have yorkers and slower balls and their batting is also strong. They were obviously the stronger team but we're very happy to be here and play a role."

"This team is a great bunch of guys so whether you're playing cricket or not, it's an easy dressing room with great guys to be around with. That makes the week or ten days like this very enjoyable so hopefully there's something like this again."

 

[Muhammad10]

Indeed, our fielding was fantastic today. The run out by Shadab was particularly brilliant.

 

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan vs World XI: Du Plessis Praises Pakistan's Effort to Get Back International Cricket

Lahore: South Africa's Faf du Plessis praised Pakistan's effort in its bid to win back confidence of foreign cricket teams and resume international cricket back at home.

Du Plessis led a World XI in a three-match Twenty20 international series in Lahore over the last five days as Pakistan showcased the cricketing world its capabilities to host international matches after eight years.

"I appreciate there was a lot of planning, a lot of time, a lot of money, a lot of energy spent in the planning of this week," Du Plessis told reporters on Friday. "Everything was very smooth and very easy and we say thank you for that."

Pakistan clinched the three-match series 2-1, winning the decisive T20 by 33 runs in front of a boisterous capacity crowd of 25,000 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Players from seven countries were put together in a World XI, with the combined effort of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council and Zimbabwe's former captain Andy Flower, who came to Lahore as coach of the team.

Several thousand security officials, including armed soldiers, guarded the stadium and the team hotel. Spectators had to pass through at least four security checkpoints before entering into the stadium.

Fans arrived at the stadium hours before the matches began and patiently waited in long queues to watch their star players in action.

"I just loved seeing the emotion on people's faces, that's something that stood out for me," Du Plessis said.

"I've never been part of a game where there's been so much emotions and appreciativeness from the crowd, when they are cheering you as if you are playing at your own home crowd, so that's very good to be part of."

The PCB has planned four T20 internationals over the next two months — one against Sri Lanka and a three-match series against the West Indies.

Du Plessis was one of the five South Africa players in World XI along with Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir.

However, he wasn't sure whether a short tour by a World XI could convince his country to resume playing bilateral cricket in Pakistan.

"They will have to be a complete different set of things put in place for South Africa to come and tour here," he said.

"I'm sure if there was an opportunity ... and they saw all the procedures that were put in place and the feedback we as a player, then that could be option."

Du Plessis conceded he was nervous before coming to Pakistan, but once he arrived in Lahore last Monday he had no complaints.

"When I first thought of coming, obviously there was little bit of nervousness within myself," he said. "Now going through this week ... we've really enjoyed as a team, everything was very enjoyable for us."

Flower said all the players would go back to their respective countries with happy memories and hoped Pakistan youngsters would get inspired to become cricketers after watching star players back in action on their home ground.

"This tour is another reminder of the fact that cricket transcends boundaries," he said. "They've (the youngsters) seen some of the best players across the world live in action and this might be the beginning of the cricketing journey of Hashim Amla or Faf du Plessis."

http://www.news18.com/cricketnext/n...o-get-back-international-cricket-1519537.html

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Indeed, our fielding was fantastic today. The run out by Shadab was particularly brilliant.

To add to this so was Bobby Bhais

I wonder what he means, "totally different set of things" put in place for SA to tour. Security was already full proof, what else is he referring to?

 

[Abdullah719]

I cannot forget Pakistan fans’ happy faces: Faf du Plessis

LAHORE: World XI’s captain Faf du Plessis, whose team visited Pakistan for the Independence Cup, has said that the best thing he experienced during the three T20Is were the emotions on the faces of the people of the country.

Du Plessis, one part of the team of star players like Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, George Bailey, Darren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Morne Morkel, David Miller, Paul Collingwood and several others who lost the series 2-1 to Sarfraz Ahmed and co, believes the response from the Pakistani cricket fans was overwhelming.

“Before I visited Pakistan I had a different picture in my mind and a different perception about the people and the country, but when I talked to the players who had visited Pakistan — like Sammy and others — they told me about a whole different side of the country. And now, when I am here, I can say that Sammy was right,” he said.

He then praised the fans further for the love and respect they showered on the World XI players. “The people here are so loving and respectful, and their hospitality in unmatched, which is amazing. The people I met at the hotel and in the Stadium were so happy to see us and they thanked us every time they met us for visiting Pakistan,” he said.

When asked about his favourite thing during the tour, Du Plessis said: “The best part of this tour was the emotions on the faces of Pakistani fans. It clearly showed how hungry they were for international cricket.”

He continued describing the feeling. “It was a great feeling to see that they were so excited and happy to see us here in Pakistan. I cannot forget that ever. It was the best thing on this tour,” he said. “All the players enjoyed so much. Each and everything was so wonderful; the way the crowd supported and respected us and their own national players was amazing to see.”

South Africa skipper said he would love to visit the country again for an enhanced culinary experience. “People in Pakistan know a lot about the game which is amazing. Also, the food here was also really tasty. I would love to taste the other variety on my next visit.”


‘We’ll tell everyone about Pakistan’

Du Plessis, who led the first high-profile team’s visit to Pakistan after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus, vowed to present a positive face of the country on his return to South Africa, and promised that all other players would do the same.

“I had an amazing time here; in fact the whole team had a great time. All players, as ambassadors of their respective countries, will give positive feedback about their visit like I and other South African players will. We will tell our boards and players about our experience here which we believe will be helpful. But again, I will say that the Pakistan Cricket Board will have to take one step at a time and the world will soon see international cricket happening in Pakistan,” said Du Plessis.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1508179/cannot-forget-pakistan-fans-happy-faces-faf-du-plessis/

 

[Markhor]

Faf has conducted himself brilliantly as a captain on this tour. Great to read.

 

[Slog]

To add to this so was Bobby Bhais

I wonder what he means, "totally different set of things" put in place for SA to tour. Security was already full proof, what else is he referring to?

Yes. It doesnt make sense

 

[Hasan123]

Thanks for coming Faf.

 

[hadi123]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arrived safely back home .Thank you Pakistan and Lahore for your hospitality ✌&#55356;&#57339; <a href="https://t.co/EI11mU34o9">pic.twitter.com/EI11mU34o9</a></p>— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) <a href="https://twitter.com/faf1307/status/909353461225066497">September 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Faf spoke about the experience during the lunch interval a couple of days ago, in the context of cricket returning to Pakistan:

"Security was amazing, initially you have that feeling 'OK we're going to Pakistan for the first time...', those normal feelings that go through your brain"

"But as soon as we landed there, the security was... we joked about it, it was like a Hollywood movie. There were snipers on the roof, bullet proof trucks and we even had put masks on ourselves, it was amazing to experience that"

"The passion for cricket is not something you can explain to people. The people of Pakistan are so hungry to see cricket back in their country"

(Would you be happy to tour Pakistan with the National team) "It's tricky for me to answer that as there's a lot of interference that I possibly can't speak about. But for myself and my own point of view, I've been there, I saw that the security was good"

"I think certain cities are a bit more safer to go to, so maybe you start there and play around it and at least it's going in the right direction"

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Sums it up really well.

 

[Savak]

This is all talk aimed at being diplomatic. Needs to put his words into action and be a man and agree to tour Pakistan

 

[Usman Chadda]

Faf should visit this forum. Will get the shock of his life when he sees 90% of the posters posting absolute filth about Pakistan 24/7. The funny thing is, these same posters are on here moreso than the patriotic/realistic ones.

 

[Buffet]

This is all talk aimed at being diplomatic. Needs to put his words into action and be a man and agree to tour Pakistan

It's not his decision.

 

[gazza619]

It's not his decision.

Exactly. He has been very supportive of return of cricket to Pakistan and we must thank him.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

This is all talk aimed at being diplomatic. Needs to put his words into action and be a man and agree to tour Pakistan

He put his hand up when opportunity came. You can't ask more from him. He came when he didn't have to, but still did it. And you are still complaining. He doesn't make the decision where the games will be held. It's CSA's decision.