Faf du Plessis of South Africa and Wahab Riaz of Pakistan will boost the spirits of Jaffna Kings for the upcoming 2021 Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Du Plessis, who represented the winning Chennai Super Kings at the recently concluded IPL 2021, will join Jaffna Kings as an overseas icon player (pre-draft).
Du Plessis is a skilled right-handed top-order batsman, considered as one of South Africa’s most consistent. He was part of the South Africa Test squad that turned the tide in the match against England in mid-2012.
He made use of his exceptional talents in a number of T-20 matches which ultimately made him the captain of South Africa in 2013.
He led South Africa in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016 following which he took over South Africa’s full-time captaincy in all formats of the game in 2017. He became the second highest run maker in the IPL 2021 scoring 633, only two runs behind Ruturaj Gaikwad who became the orange cap holder.
With ample experience in international league tournaments Du Plessis will become the ideal fit for Jaffna Kings to face the fierce competition in the upcoming LPL.
Wahab Riaz from Pakistan joins Jaffna Kings as an overseas diamond player (pre- draft). He is a gifted left-arm fast bowler and a right-handed batsman who played in many T20 franchise tournaments. He is reputed to be one of the fastest bowlers hurling at 150 kms.
On his Test debut, against England in 2010, Riaz captured 5 for 63, becoming the ninth Pakistan bowler to take five wickets on debut. During the 2011 World Cup, Riaz had scalped five wickets in the semi-finals against India.
His all-round performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 earned Riaz world-wide recognition. He has played in three T20 World Cups during which numerous cricketers and cricket lovers applauded his unparalleled performances.
Jaffna Kings have retained four local players in their side for the upcoming LPL. They are Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana.