Daily Times

LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik said on Sunday that the World XI were a strong team but Pakistan’s confidence was high. He was talking to the media on the sidelines of a training match at Gaddafi Stadium ahead of a three-match series that Pakistan play with the World XI next week. “Our players play domestic cricket so they are well trained,” he said, adding that Gaddafi was their home ground so they won’t disappoint. “Senior players need to guide the youngsters,” he said further. Replying to a question that majority of the players have not played international games inside the country, Malik said: “This is a big opportunity for new players to play in front of their own people. Those feelings can’t be described in words”. In reply to another question, Malik said it is too early to talk about the 2023 World Cup as well as the 2019 World Cup. Earlier, head coach Mickey Arthur said the Independence Cup would open gates for international cricket in the country, adding that Pakistan wanted to win the series. “The series against the World XI is very important for the Pakistan side and they are not taking the other side lightly at all. We are also focusing on World Cup 2019,” said Arthur.

Published in Daily Times, September 11^th 2017.