Faf du Plessis signs up for Abu Dhabi T10

Former South Africa captain will lead Bangla Tigers in the UAE capital

Faf du Plessis has been announced as the new captain of Bangla Tigers. AP

Faf du Plessis has been announced as the new captain of Bangla Tigers for the next season of the Abu Dhabi T10.

The signing of the former South Africa captain is a coup for the 10-over competition, which is scheduled to be played in the middle of the busiest season ever for high-profile cricket in the UAE.

The suspended Indian Premier League will be played to its conclusion in the Emirates after it recommences next month.

That will be followed by the T20 World Cup, with the T10 event set to follow the conclusion of that in November.

This season there are also plans in place for a new T20 franchise league in Dubai, due to be played in January and February.

Du Plessis, who has yet to play the 10-over format, will captain a Bangla Tigers side who failed to make the playoffs of the fourth season of the competition when it was played in January and February.

He has only recently returned to playing, two-and-a-half months since he sustained concussion in a collision, coincidentally while at the Zayed Cricket Stadium - venue for the T10 - in a Pakistan Super League fixture.

"It is an exciting new format to be part of," Du Plessis was quoted as saying.

"I am looking forward to joining forces with some of the world’s biggest names in this league and representing team Bangla Tigers.

"It is going to be a thrilling time for the game of cricket. It's heart-warming to see leagues like T10 putting in so much hard work and offering such exciting formats for sports enthusiasts. I can’t wait to get going."

Mohammed Yasin Chowdhury, the Bangla Tigers owner, said it is an honour to have a player of Du Plessis' stature leading his side.

“It is terrific to have a world-class player like Faf in our squad," Chowdhury said.

"We have all seen his exploits for South Africa in various formats. He is a champion cricketer.

"It is a huge honour to have him in our squad. We all know what he has achieved both on and off the field."