Following story was filed prior to the beginning of 1st T20 between Pakistan and World XI on September 12, 2017
2017 will be remembered for years to come as a ‘Year of Pakistan Cricket’ because it turned the tide and Pakistani fans tasted back-to-back cheerfulness in the field of Cricket.
It was March 2009 when an extremist act strangled International Cricket in Pakistan, and for which the Country had to pay a heavy price as it was deprived of hosting any Cricket event consecutively for over eight years.
In the meantime, Pakistan was forced to host its bilateral series mostly in United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it became an interesting fact that Pakistani player like Umar Akmal, who has featured in more than 100 ODIs, has not yet played an International match in his own Country.
But following almost eight years of deprivation, 2017 brought cheer to Pakistanis as earlier on March 5 this year, Pakistan organized the final of its premier tournament – Pakistan Super League (PSL) – at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and then Pakistan Cricket team storm the World by winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England on June 18.
And now it’s Independence Cup being held in Lahore, and one hopes that it will break the stagnation, Pakistan has been suffering for years with regard to extinct of International Cricket on its Soil.
Thanks to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) whose efforts made it reality, and Pakistanis are now likely to bid adieu to deprivation.
Considering the importance of Independence Cup and its future repercussions, the PCB along with the Punjab government has ensured concrete security arrangements for smooth and peaceful holding of three-match series.
The inaugural match between Pakistan led by Sarfraz Ahmed and World XI led by Faf du Plessis will begin at 07:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and will be telecast live by PTV Sports.
Prior to the beginning of the match, each player will be brought to the Gaddafi Stadium Stadium in colourful and well-decorated Rickshaws.
Pakistan squad for Independence Cup includes Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Imad Wasim, Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain & Wicket-Keeper), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Muhammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan and Sohail Khan.
World XI for Independence Cup includes Faf du Plessis (Captain), Hashim Amla, George Bailey, Samuel Badree, Paul Collingwood, Grant Elliott, Ben Cutting, Darren Sammy, Tamim Iqbal, Morne Morkel, David Miller, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir and Tim Paine.
Tags: PTV Sports, PTV Sports Live, Pakistan vs World XI, Lahore Security, Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan cricket, Independence Cup
