Tag: South African Cricketer

  • Babar Azam, Pakistani cricketers pen heartfelt notes for AB de Villiers after his retirement

    Babar Azam, Pakistani cricketers pen heartfelt notes for AB de Villiers after his retirement

    Following AB de Villiers announcement about his retirement, cricket-lovers around the world are expressing their love for one of the finest players to have emerged from South Africa.

    Among those who paid tributes to ABD was Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and other Pakistani cricketers, who also took to their social media handles to share how the star player has inspired them.

    “You were my childhood inspiration and I always tried to learn from your charismatic approach,” Babar wrote on Twitter.

    Recalling his first interaction with De Villiers, he added: “I still remember the first time I met you and how welcoming you were.”

    “You have inspired many generations of cricket. Wish you the very best and a happy retirement.”

    Shoaib Malik, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman also lauded the South African, among others.

    De Villiers, who announced his retirement from cricket on Friday, will be remembered as one of the sport’s great entertainers and one of the finest players to represent South Africa.

    He was an outstanding batsman in all forms of international cricket, averaging more than 50 in both 118 Test matches and 228 One-Day Internationals.

  • ‘That flame no longer burns’: AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of cricket

    ‘That flame no longer burns’: AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of cricket

    Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers took to social media to announce his retirement from all forms of cricket.

    AB de Villiers made the announcement on Friday, November 19, marking an end to an incredible career that spanned over a period of more than 18 years.

    “It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket,” ABD wrote on Twitter. “Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly.

    “That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me,” he wrote in another Tweet.

    Having made his international debut in 2004, AB de Villiers represented South Africa in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is. Across formats, he amassed 20,014 runs, averaging more than 50 in both Tests and ODIs. He retired from international cricket in May 2018.

    England’s batter Jos Buttler also extended his wishes for the veteran cricketer, saying that he used to “turn on the tv just to watch” him bat.

  • ‘Will take the knee’: Quinton de Kock apologises after ignoring team directives

    ‘Will take the knee’: Quinton de Kock apologises after ignoring team directives

    South African wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock has apologised to his teammates and fans for the “hurt, confusion, and anger” he caused by refusing to follow a CSA directive to take the knee at the T20 World Cup and sitting out the game against the West Indies, reported ESPN Cricinfo.

    In a statement released on Thursday morning, de Kock explained that his decision not to take the knee on Tuesday was a response to feeling “like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told” by the CSA board. However, after an “emotional” conversation between the board and the players last night, he has a “better understanding of their intentions” and “will love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again”.

    It means de Kock has made himself available for selection for the rest of the tournament, which for South Africa, resumes on Saturday against Sri Lanka.

    He recognised that he has dominated the cricket conversation in the last 48 hours, although he said that was unintentional. “I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue,” de Kock’s statement read. “I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example. If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.”

    De Kock was the only player in the South African squad who had previously chosen not to make any gesture in support of anti-racism and said that that was because he “didn’t understand why I had to prove it (his feelings on antiracism) with a gesture, when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day,” he said.

  • PAK vs SA warm-up match: 50 for Hassan

    PAK vs SA warm-up match: 50 for Hassan

    Pakistan lost the second warm-up match against South Africa on Monday after Hassan Ali could not defend 19 runs in the last over.

    Pakistan had the upper hand, with South Africa needing 47 off the last three, but 18 and 22-run overs on either side of Shaheen Afridi’s 10-run 19th over proved costly.

    Earlier in the day, Pakistan were put into bat and they made the most of the opportunity as they posted a sizeable total of 186 runs on the board after Fakhar hit five sixes and two fours on his way to 52 off 28 balls before retiring out as Pakistan managed to score 120 off their last 10 overs.

    It looked like Pakistan were on a roll with the ball as well but then came a storm named Rassie van der Dussen, who single-handedly took the game away from them. In the end, South Africa ended up winning a thriller of a match on the final delivery by Hassan. Hassan’s expensive 52-4 spell was highly criticised by the fans.

    On the other hand, Pakistan’s arch-rivals Indian cricket team comfortably beat Australia by nine wickets.

    Pakistan and India are set to play on October 24.

  • Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

    Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

    South African fast bowler Dale Steyn announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on Tuesday.

    He told ESPNcricinfo that his decision was prompted partly by the Covid-19 pandemic, and partly because, at 38, he is looking forward to “life starting again” after 18 years of professional cricket.

    “I guess Covid-19 kind of made me see things differently, it wasn’t fun anymore. And if it’s not fun then it’s not worth doing,” Steyn said.

    “Bittersweet but grateful,” he wrote in his social media post, as he thanked his family and teammates as well as journalists, fans.

    “It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many stories to tell. Too many faces to thank.”

    “It’s been an incredible journey together,” he added.

    Replying to the speedster, South African goat Ab Devilliars said: “Great player, great man, amazing memories! You picked a good song to sign off my bud. Legend forever!”

    Steyn, South Africa’s highest Test wicket-taker with 439 strikes in 93 games, made his professional debut in 2003 in a first-class game for Northerns. He stepped away from the longest format two years ago, to concentrate on white-ball cricket. Since then, he has not played in any ODIs and only three T20Is, though he did have plans of playing in one more T20 World Cup.

    Many cricketers and notables related with cricket wrote comments for the South African great.

  • Dale Steyn thanks Rumman Raees for birthday wish in a unique style

    Dale Steyn thanks Rumman Raees for birthday wish in a unique style

    Dale Steyn has thanked his former Islamabad United fellow cricketer Rumman Raees from Pakistan Super League ina unique style

    Raees took to Twitter and wished the speedster saying: “Number one and nothing rest, the legend. Happy Birthday Dale Steyn , stay blessed. Thanking the Pakistani bowler, Steyn shared his selfie with a framed photo with Raees when he had a fanboy moment with him and when Steyn used to played for Islamabad.

    It was a wholesome moment when Steyn gave Raees his jersey of IU and Raees gave him a framed picture of the two when he shared his fanboy moment with the South African pacer.

    Hassan Ali also wished his “favourite” bowler, appreciating him and calling him an inspiration.

  • Dale Steyn unhappy with South Africa’s T20I squad against Pakistan

    Dale Steyn unhappy with South Africa’s T20I squad against Pakistan

    Dale Steyn is unhappy with South Africa’s T20I squad for the home series against Pakistan next month.

    Read more – Dale Steyn says PSL is ‘more rewarding’ than IPL

    Reacting to the squad on Twitter, Steyn questioned selectors for dropping main players like Faf Du Plessis and David Miller from the squad.

    “I missed the reason why our big dogs aren’t playing the T20s against Pak?” questioned the renowned.

    It must be noted here that Pakistan and South Africa will play three T20Is. After Pakistan, South Africa has also announced their white-ball squads for the tour. The 17-member T20I and 22-member ODI squad will be led by Temba Bavuma.

    Proteas ODI squad

    Temba Bavuma (Captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad Williams

    Proteas T20 squad

    Temba Bavuma (Captain), Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Pite van Biljon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe.

    Pakistan Squads:

    T20I: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Arshad Iqbal (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Asif Ali (Northern), Danish Aziz (Sindh), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Mohammad Hafeez (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sharjeel Khan (Sindh) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)

    ODI: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Danish Aziz (Sindh), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)

    Test: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imran Butt (Balochistan), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Tabish Khan (Sindh) and Zahid Mahmood (Southern Punjab)

  • South Africa’s Faf du Plessis announces retirement from Test cricket

    South Africa’s Faf du Plessis announces retirement from Test cricket

    South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis on Wednesday announced that he is retiring from Test cricket. 

    The former South Africa captain wrote in a post on Instagram, where he also shared a statement on his decision. “My heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter.”

    With two T20 World Cups in the next two years, Du Plessis said he is shifting his focus to the shortest format of the game. “It has been an honour to play for my country in all the formats of the game, but the time has come for me to retire from Test cricket,” he wrote.

    “The next two years are ICC T20 World Cup years. Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I want to play as much of it as possible around the world so that I can be the best player I can possibly be.”

    He represented South Africa in 69 Tests and scored 4,163 runs at an average of 40.02. He scored 10 centuries and registered his highest score of 199 in 2020. He had a memorable Test debut against Australia in Adelaide in 2012, when he scored 78 in the first inning and followed it up with a maiden Test century in the second.

    His final Test came in Rawalpindi against Pakistan earlier this month.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) also thanked the veteran cricketer on Twitter for “the memories”.

    Meanwhile, The Pakistan Super League (PSL) announced the replacement picks for the teams that will lose some players due to international commitments.

    The teams made replacement picks for the players who have either become fully or partially unavailable due to international cricket commitments. Du Plessis, who was earlier part of the Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2020 play-offs, returns to the league as a partial replacement player in the Quetta Gladiators outfit in place of the West Indian Chris Gayle.