By Muhammad Luqman
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday announced the names the star studded World XI side which will tour the South Asian country in September under the captaincy of South Africa’s Faf du Plessis.
The 14-member squad has representation from seven countries. 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 team has no representation from India.
The team will play three T20Is in Lahore on September 12, 13 and 15 after arriving in the country on Sept 11, following a two day camp in Dubai.
The skipper of the squad, Faf du Plessis of South Africa says that he looks forward to his maiden tour to Pakistan and helping country restore the international cricket at home.
“Like most of the players, 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 in the statement released by PCB.
“In my career, I have featured in some very exciting matches against Pakistan but playing Pakistan in front of its passionate supporters 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’m sure the Pakistan players will relish,” added Faf du Plessis.
South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who visited Pakistan with Graeme Smith’s side in 2007, said: “I am 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.”
Former Zimbabwe captain and ex-England coach Andy Flower will be the coach of the side.
According to Flower, all the players are satisfied and comfortable with the security arrangements that will be put in place for the series and happy to be part of the first step towards the safe return of international cricket to Pakistan.
“We now look forward to playing some exciting cricket so that we can entertain the Lahore crowd, which has waited long enough to see local as well as international stars live in action in their backyard,” he added.
World XI squad comprises- Faf du Plessis (captain) (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), Tim Paine (wicketkeeper) (Australia), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Imran Tahir (South Africa) and Darren Sammy (Windies).
