The stage is set for the return of international cricket in Pakistan as World XI landed in Lahore from Dubai to participate in the Independence Cup 2017. The Pakistan cricket fans will finally witness an international match featuring grandstanders and not with a minnow team like Zimbabwe. Sarfraz Ahmed will be leading the Pakistan side whereas South African skipper Faf du Plessis will be leading the World XI side. The game will, in every way be historic as it is a big step forward by ICC to bring back international cricket matches to Pakistan after the dreadful terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team during their tour in 2009.
The World XI team was welcomed by Najam Sethi, the Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) at the airport.
World XI team’s coach and former Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Flower expressed his feelings ahead of the first T20I. He said, “It’s great to be here; we’re looking forward to seeing a lot of you watching the great cricket we put on the show. We’ve had a warm welcome. Thank you very much.”
According to Pakistani news website Geo tv, the Pakistan government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that security is top-notch during the Independence Cup 2017.
Security arrangements:
Some 8,000 police and paramilitary forces will guard teams as they travel back and forth from Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to their hotel at Mall road. Roads and shops will be closed in and around the 27,000-capacity venue, while spectators will have to pass through multiple security checkpoints.
World XI arrival in Pakistan #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/AAcqYyTQmm
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2017
World XI arrival in Pakistan #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/jf74c87JBX
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2017
Chairman PCB, Mr Najam Sethi and ICC Director, Mr. Giles Clarke press conference in Lahore #PAKvWXI #cricketkihalalala pic.twitter.com/urQ7msNSmh
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
Coach of World XI Andy Flower presenting the playing shirt to captain @faf1307 #PAKvWXI #cricketkihalalala pic.twitter.com/WwHYWDNOZ1
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
The first of the 3 T20Is will be played tomorrow, i.e., September 12.
Security personnel patrolling outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Photo Courtesy: AP)
A worker welds a barrier at an entrance to the Gaddafi Stadium (Photo Courtesy: AP)
A Pakistani security personnel stands guard during a net practice by Pakistani cricket players (Photo Courtesy: AP)
Pakistan Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan, Sohail Khan
World XI Squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, George Bailey, Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, George Elliott, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, Tim Paine (wk), Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
