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Faf du Plessis
Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
- Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis understands the importance of the anti-GBV stance taken by the women’s team.
- The women’s team played in black against Pakistan at Kingsmead on Saturday in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence.
- Du Plessis also said that Pakistan will be difficult to beat on its own turf.
Proteas star batter Faf du Plessis She may understand the importance of touring Pakistan for the first time, but the position Proteas women have taken on gender-based violence (GBV) is not lost on her.
The Protea women defeated Pakistan by 13 races in Saturday’s second ODI, in which South Africa dressed in black in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence.
Visibly fresh and laid-back Du Plessis, who will play his first test in Pakistan, was adamant about how gender-based violence was a problem in South Africa.
“Gender-based violence is not just a problem for women in our country, it is a problem for South Africa, especially for men. If you look at the statistics of gender-based violence in South Africa, they are crazy. They are ridiculous,” Du Plessis said.
“One of the most important things about our country is that, as men, we need to be better, that our country is more aware of what is happening and how bad the situation is.
“The more you talk about it, the more your mouth opens to what’s happening. It’s a great cause and I’m happy to support it. It’s great to see women doing their thing and playing in black.”
With the first test taking place in Karachi, a Pakistani cricket stronghold that has only been violated by South Africa (2007) and England (2000), the visitors still have an uphill task ahead.
Between 2007, when they won the two-Test series against Pakistan 1-0, and 2015 when they were defeated 3-0 in a four-game series, South Africa was one of the best traveling teams in Asia.
There were two notable series draws in India and a series win in Sri Lanka 2014, but that is down significantly.
South Africa have lost their last five rounds in Asia by wide margins to India and Sri Lanka respectively, but Pakistan at home is anyone’s guess.
Pakistan’s test series against Sri Lanka last month was their first red ball matchup at home in 10 years, but they outscored the visitors in Karachi in the second test after drawing the first in Rawalpindi.
Du Plessis, who was five years away from making his testing debut when South Africa last visited Pakistan in 2007, would not be drawn to South Africa’s success in 2007.
He also hopes there will be some races on offer in what are traditionally flat courses.
The first test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Karachi begins on Tuesday, and the second in Rawalpindi on February 4.
“That was a long time ago and it’s a very different team. I think both Pakistan and South Africa are in a similar position when it comes to their teams. There is a lot of inexperience and not a lot of test matches. Both teams are still figuring out their way to continue in terms of gaining as much experience as possible, “said Du Plessis.
“For all of us, it will be the first time that we have played test cricket in Pakistan, while for many of our team, it is the first time that they have played in the subcontinent. We hope it will be a difficult question against Pakistan. They are a dangerous team in their own conditions. I am told that Pakistan is one of the best places to come and hit, with the first three days belonging to the hitters and the last two days to the spin. “
