The Pakistan Super League will start in the United Arab Emirates this week. Seven South Africans will be dotted across four of the tournament’s six franchises.
- United’s Delport and Parnell
Batsman Cameron Delport enjoyed a solid stretch of form for the Chittagong Vikings in the recent Bangladesh Premier League, and via a stint with Islamabad United will add to a T20 career that already features participation in the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Mzansi Super League and others.
Delport will be joined at United by all-rounder Wayne Parnell, who was a late addition to the Sylhet Sixers’ BPL campaign earlier this month. The pair’s presence will be key in the absence of countryman JP Duminy, who hasn’t rejoined the defending champions this year.
- From BPL to PSL, then IPL, for AB
Retirement from international cricket has effectively freed former Proteas captain AB de Villiers to travel the world for domestic T20 competitions vast and varied. He struck a superb century for the Rangpur Riders in January, and will soon debut for the Lahore Qalandars. He will then travel to the Indian Premier League to resume commitments with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and has expressed interest in playing in The Hundred – the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new limited-overs tournament.
- Lahore also have two other South Africans
While the Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi have foregone recruiting South Africans, the Qalandars are flush, with fast bowler Hardus Viljoen and all-rounder David Wiese also among the ranks. Viljoen recently became a T20 freelancer of sorts, snubbing a Proteas career for a Kolpak contract, which was later cancelled in the wake of BPL, PSL and IPL notoriety.
- Ingram back for Kings
Batsman Colin Ingram will arrive in the UAE after captaining the Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash League. He was key to the Karachi Kings’ 2018 campaign – and is determined to have them ‘go all the way‘ this time.
- Gladiators bank on red-hot Rossouw
Fellow left-hander and Quetta Gladiators recruit Rilee Rossouw, meanwhile, will look to continue a superb stretch of form for the Riders in the BPL. Rossouw, indeed, was the leading run-scorer in the 2019 BPL.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman | Gallo Images
