- Star Proteas batsman Faf du Plessis wants to be a part of South Africa's T20 World Cup squad for this year's global showpiece.
- Du Plessis is in Abu Dhabi for the resumption of the Pakistan Super League, where he will be representing the Quetta Gladiators.
- Speaking to reporters, Du Plessis also predicted who might win this year's T20 World Cup - and it's not the Proteas...
Star batsman Faf du Plessis is still hoping to make the Proteas' T20 World Cup squad as he aims to continue to perform in the international arena.
Du Plessis is currently in Abu Dhabi for the resumption of the relocated Pakistan Super League (PSL), which was suspended in March after several players tested positive for Covid-19 in Pakistan.
While retiring from Test cricket in February, the 36-year-old reaffirmed that he wanted to represent the Proteas in the next two T20 World Cups.
Du Plessis was not awarded a national contract in March and was not included in the summer's limited-overs series against Pakistan and this month's T20 series against the West Indies.
"I felt it was the right time for me to retire from Test cricket and take a break from one-day cricket. There's two T20 World Cups in a row... so in maximising myself and making myself available for as much around the world and play T20 cricket," Du Plessis said during a virtual PSL conference.
While many will say that this may be the end for Du Plessis, his performances and experience may say otherwise.
In recent months, he has been in stellar form for the Chennai Super Kings at the suspended Indian Premier League, where he scored 320 runs - including four half-centuries - in his seven IPL games.
Du Plessis will be representing the Quetta Gladiators, who are currently at the bottom of the PSL log after losing four of their five games to date.
The former Proteas Test skipper admitted that he was at a point where he wanted to win titles for his teams and his country.
"I'd like to stay here and make sure the team (Gladiators) gets into the semi-finals and then some silverware because that's how you want to play the game, same thing with the World Cup," said Du Plessis.
"At this point in my career right now, I'm very driven. I want to push myself as much and as long as I can. I have a three-year goal that I still want to play. I almost feel like I'm the fittest I've ever been before so I'm just driven to keep going.
"I want to perform for T20 teams that I play for but also when there's an opportunity to play for South Africa to do the same."
This year's T20 World Cup is set to be held in October - most likely in the United Arab Emirates - as India continues to battle the pandemic.
Du Plessis was not shy in naming his two favourites for this year's World Cup - and surprisingly, he omitted the Proteas.
"The shorter the format, you feel like there are more teams that can have a chance," he said.
"If I look at teams with good firepower and experience, you have to look at West Indies and the fact that they have brought back all their players and almost given them a directive to try and be the first team to win it three times.
"Then for me, India. The way they're T20 [game] is set up, they've got a lot of experience and they cover all their skills with good wrist spinners and fast bowlers, death bowlers and an explosive batting lineup," continued Du Plessis.
"And England, a successful ODI unit, is a strong team too but India, West Indies are my favourites right now."