ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 14-member World XI led by South Africa’s Faf du Plessis as well comprising players from seven Test playing nations.
The World XI will play three Twenty20s for the Independence Cup against Pakistan under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 13 and 15.
The World XI includes five players from South Africa, three from Australia, two from the Windies, and one each from Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
The World XI squad includes Captain Faf du Plessis (South Africa), Hashim Amla (South Africa), Samuel Badree (Windies), George Bailey (Australia), Paul Collingwood (England), Ben Cutting (Australia), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), David Miller (South Africa), Morne Morkel (South Africa), wicketkeeper Tim Paine (Australia), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Imran Tahir (South Africa) and Darren Sammy (Windies).
Former Zimbabwe captain and ex-England coach Andy Flower will be the coach of the side, and will arrive in Lahore on September 11 after attending a two-day camp in Dubai.
The Captain of World XI Faf du Plessis said that he is honoured to have been appointed as captain of such a diverse, attractive and well-balanced side.
“I look forward to my maiden tour to Lahore and play my part in the safe and gradual resumption of international cricket in Pakistan,” he said.
“All the members of the squad have complete faith and trust in the assessment and judgment of the security experts, who have assured us that there will be no comprise on the safety and security of all those involved in the series. We will land in Lahore with nothing except cricket in our minds,” he said.
du Plessis said that in my career, I have featured in some very exciting matches against Pakistan but playing Pakistan at their home will be a unique occasion, which I can’t wait to experience.
“As a player, I understand the importance of playing in front of home crowds and that is something I am sure Pakistan players will relish,” he said.
The PCB Chairman Najam Sethi welcomed the ICC World XI team on behalf of the board and the cricket loving Pakistani nation.
“I am positive that it will serve to open the doors of international cricket in Pakistan. Kenya and Zimbabwe have already been here and featured in high-voltage matches with rapturous crowds.”
“Recently, we successfully organized the final of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) second edition in Lahore, which proved to be a catalyst in gaining the confidence of the international community to come and play here,” he said.
Najam Sethi congratulated the Chairman of International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Pakistan Task Force Giles Clarke for helping facilitate the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
“I am confident that World XI tour shall be a harbinger of other full member nations visiting us in the months to come,” he said.
Hashim Amla said that he is looking forward to the trip to Pakistan. “The rehabilitation of my injured shoulder is progressing well and I am confident of being fit for the matches,” he said.
World XI coach Andy Flower, who visited Pakistan in 1993, 1996 and 1998 with the Zimbabwe cricket teams, said I have enjoyed all my previous tours to Pakistan and look forward to returning to Lahore next month.
“All players are satisfied and comfortable with the security arrangements that will be put in place for the series. Now we look forward to play some exciting cricket in Lahore,” he said.
Pakistan Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said that he is very excited to see World XI team coming to Pakistan.
“I can assure that all Pakistan cricket fans that we have missed playing in front of them, like they have missed watching us live in action. But the wait is about to end and I am sure better times lie ahead of all of us,” Sarfaraz said.
Sarfaraz congratulated PCB and ICC for making this tour happen.
“I look forward to some exciting matches in front of the jam-packed Gaddafi Stadium,” he said.
Pakistanis eagerly prepared to host World XI: Pakistan army
Meanwhile, Pakistan army has welcomed the upcoming Twenty20 series against a World XI outfit.
“We welcome Cricket Team World XI to Pakistan,” the Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet.
“Pakistanis are eagerly prepared to host them as a peace and sports loving nation,” he added.
