AB de Villiers signs with Rangpur Riders

AB de Villiers signs with Rangpur Riders: Former South African captain has signed with another T20 franchise.

AB de Villiers, former South African captain and one of the most admired batsmen of the contemporary times, has signed with Rangpur Riders to play in the upcoming season of the BPL (Bangladesh Premier League).

Having signed for the Mzansi Super League, South Africa’s inaugural T20 league, this will be de Villiers second stint for a T20 franchise post his retirement in May this year. At Riders, de Villiers will be accompanied by Universe Boss Chris Gayle and England opening batsman Alex Hales.

The Bangladesh Premier League is slated to start on January 5 next year.

Recently, there were reports of de Villiers making a comeback to international cricket ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The 34-year old right-hand batsman has quashed all such reports, saying that there will be no comeback.

Speaking at his MSL franchise Tshwane Spartans’ launch, de Villiers was quoted, “No, there is no comeback. I made the mistake of saying ‘never say never’, which is a philosophy that I have always followed in my life. I was actually trying to say that I am focusing on the now, but it came out horribly wrong and the next minute there were headlines around the world.”

De Villiers also added that he doesn’t want to confuse anything around the world and that a comeback would be very ‘selfish’ of him. “I certainly do not want to confuse anyone around the world, especially the Proteas team. It will be very selfish and arrogant of me to throw statements around that I want to play at the World Cup.

“I am happy where I am and focusing on the now and I will never say ‘never say never’ again. My focus at the moment is to play good cricket in the Mzansi Super League for the Tshwane Spartans. I have been working hard to be fit,” de Villiers said.

Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on de Villiers below: