Domestic T20 leagues can be a real threat for international cricket: Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis, the former South Africa captain, reckons that domestic T20 leagues around the globe can pose a massive threat to international cricket going forward in the future. Around 16 years since the first T20I was played, the format has grown leaps and bounds. On a number of instances, players have also preferred foreign T20 leagues ahead of international cricket due to various reasons.

Du Plessis, himself, has played in a plethora of leagues and is now set to represent the Quetta Gladiators in the 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), starting June 9. As per the veteran, cricket, in the future, could take the shape of soccer where domestic games hog more limelight than international matches.

Faf du Plessis put forth his opinions

“Power of the leagues that are growing year by year. You know in the beginning there were maybe two leagues around the world, where now it must be coming to four, five, six, seven leagues. And the leagues are getting stronger,” Du Plessis was quoted as saying in a press conference ahead of PSL 2021.

“I think it’s important that, moving forward, that you try and see as to how best possible you can co-exist with both. Because I think if it becomes a choice moving forward into the future, then it can be a real threat for the international game,” he stated.

“Maybe in 10 years’ time, cricket will be almost like soccer [football]. Where you have world events and in between, you just have these leagues around the world where teams go and play,” Du Plessis added.

Earlier this year, Faf was a part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL). Moreover, the Pretoria-born has taken part in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Big Bash League (BBL), Mzansi Super League (MSL), and England’s T20 tournaments.

As far as the PSL is concerned, apart from the Gladiators, Faf has played for the Peshawar Zalmi, now captained by fast bowler Wahab Riaz. The second leg of PSL 2021 will take part entirely at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi after the tournament was halted back in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.