South Africa’s Faf du Plessis to captain World XI: sources

KARACHI: South Africa’s Faf du Plessis has been named captain of the World XI team that is set to tour Pakistan next month.

Sources privy to the development of the World XI tour to Pakistan confirmed to Geo.tv on Wednesday that the South African captain will lead the side comprising of top stars from major cricket teams.

“I can confirm you that Faf (du Plessis) will lead the World XI,” the source told Geo.tv.

33-year-old du Plessis has captained South African side in all three formats, winning 19 out of 32 T20Is, eight out of nine ODIs and eight out of 14 Tests.

The World XI team will visit Pakistan between September 9 and 15 for a series of three T20Is in Lahore to support the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to bring cricket back home.

Sources revealed that talks with former Australian captain George Bailey have also moved positively, and he’s likely to be part of the touring squad.

The team is tipped to include South Africa’s Hashim Amla, New Zealander James Neesham, England’s Paul Collingwood and other top players from Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

The final lineup of the World XI team, which is being managed and coached by Andy Flower, is likely to be announced by Friday.