Daily Times

LAHORE: South African Test and Twenty20 captain Faf du Plessis said on Monday that the international cricketers on his team were “playing for something bigger than the game itself.” Du Plessis is leading a World XI squad, comprising players from seven Test playing countries, who will play a three-match Twenty20 International series – Independence Cup 2017 – against Pakistan, led by Sarfraz Ahmad, at Gaddafi Stadium here on Tuesday (today), Wednesday (tomorrow) and Friday (September 15). The series is a huge step towards reviving international cricket in Pakistan after years of isolation. The series is the most high-profile since a 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore left eight dead and drove away international cricket and most other sports. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has high hopes that the series will close that dark chapter for good – and allow a new generation of players to experience the thrill of playing before a home crowd for the first time. Juts five members of the current squad have done that before – skipper Sarfraz, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Sohail Khan and Ahmad Shahzad.

Addressing a press conference, along with World XI coach Andy Flower, du Plessis said: “You always try to find things to help you leave your mark – and this seemed like the sort of opportunity to do just that. As a cricketer, in a few years’ time, I will be able to look back and say that I played my part in bringing cricket back to Pakistan.” The South Africa captain also spoke about being approached to play in the series and how he initially wrestled with the idea of playing in Pakistan, before being put at ease by the comprehensive security arrangements.

“As a professional sportsman, numerous factors played their part. Money was one of it, but what really convinced me was that as a sportsman, you want to leave your footprint on the game. So once Andy shared his idea with me, I realised that in a few years’ time when I will sit with my family, this is something I can be really proud of. When the idea was shared, yes we thought about different things. But then we had a word with the concerned authorities who gave us peace of mind and then we just wanted to get here. Last 24 hours have really been excitement for us. We felt like we are in a movie, said du Plessis.

Security has dramatically improved in Pakistan in recent years, but militant groups retain the ability to carry out attacks and officials are taking no chances. Some 8,000 police and paramilitary forces will guard teams as they travel back and forth from Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Roads and shops will be closed around the 27,000-capacity venue, while spectators will have to pass through multiple security checkpoints.

Support from the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been crucial. The ICC has accorded international status on the matches and nominated former West Indian great Richie Richardson as match referee. If the tour passes without incident, it will pave the way for a further, hugely symbolic step: the return of Sri Lanka next month. On Saturday, Pakistan announced the itinerary for a full T20 series against Sri Lanka – mainly in neutral venues but, if the World XI passes without incident, the finale is planned for Gaddafi Stadium.

Although the series has international status, for a Pakistani fan the significance of this series extends beyond the realms of winning or losing. For the first time in eight years, Pakistan is hosting an international series of high eminence which in itself is a notable triumph. What we have here is a historic coming together of the global cricket community in support of a nation that has contributed mountains to the game. In this series the PCB has an opportunity of making an impact with the visitors – an impact that could transform our promised future into a tangible future.

Speaking on the occasion, Andy revealed that he had a special connection with Pakistan, whom he felt honoured to tour once again. “I have great connection with Pakistan and coming here to play cricket shows our commitment to resume international cricket in the country.” Andy said everybody involved in the series should realise there were bigger issues at stake than winning at cricket. “The World XI comprises well known international players who have come to Lahore to play their part in bringing international cricket to Pakistan so that the diehard fans and enthusiasts can once again watch cricket in their own backyard,” he added. “However, I think when these excellent players get together as a team, their competitive juices will undoubtedly flow and they will come together and be doing everything in their power to win those games. I’m pretty certain about that,” said the former England coach. “The World XI looks forward to celebrating the return of international cricket in Pakistan,” he said, adding “I am sure our international stars will return home with happy memories”.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz said the World XI tour was a proud moment for all players and Pakistan. “There is a lot of excitement and this is a matter of great happiness. We are playing in Pakistan after a long time. Luckily, I am involved in this event and that too as a captain. This is a very proud moment for me and for all those players who have been selected in this team,” the captain told reporters and expressed hope that following the Independence Cup, regular series would be played in the country. When asked about the home team’s batting lineup, Sarfraz acknowledged that since he became captain, the T20 squad had consisted mainly of young players. “We are trying to form a good, young team so that the same players can find their place in one-day internationals and test series. This is an important series for us. After our victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, our responsibility has increased. Expectations have been raised, we have to prepare better,” the captain said when asked about feeling pressure on the home field while facing a top international squad. “We will try to play good cricket to maintain our rankings in the T20s.”

Squads

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Ruman Raees, Usman Khan, Sohail Khan.

World XI: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Samuel Badree, George Bailey, Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliott, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir, Darren Sammy.

Published in Daily Times, September 12^th 2017.