Daily Times

LAHORE: The World XI side, who will tour Pakistan in September, were named here on Thursday with several high profile players part of the line-up. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Aziz Sethi announced the 14-man squad who will visit the country to play three T20Is, being called the Independence Cup. The matches will be held at Gaddafi Stadium on September 12, 13 and 15. The team will be led by South African T20 skipper Faf Du Plessis, and also include his compatriots Hashim Amla, David Miller and Imran Tahir. Samuel Badree and Darren Sammy from West Indies, George Bailey, Ben Cutting and Tim Paine from Australia, Paul Collingwood, Tamim Iqbal, Grant Elliott and Thisara Perera are the other members part of the squad. The team will be coached by former Zimbabwe star Andy Flower. Addressing a news conference, Sethi described the tournament as “an auspicious moment for Pakistan,” which he said would pave way for the return of international cricket to the country. He expressed confidence that the international team’s tour would be a “harbinger for other full-member nations visiting us in the months to come.”

No doubt, the tour is a big step towards Pakistan once again hosting major international outfits after militants targeted the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, killing eight people and wounding at least seven players. Since the attacks, Pakistan have only hosted a limited-over series against Zimbabwe in 2015 while Bangladesh, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland turned down offers over security fears. Pakistan have also been forced to play their cricket in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the past eight years including two editions of the Pakistan Super League Twenty20 (PSL). But security has dramatically improved across Pakistan in the last two years, signalling hopes for the slow revival of international sport in the country. In March, Pakistan successfully hosted the PSL final in Lahore with English players Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan, West Indies’ Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels and South Africa’s Morne van Wyk and Zimbabwe’s Sean Ervine competing. The match’s success pushed the PCB to expedite efforts to convince more teams to play in Pakistan.

Sethi said the team would arrive in Dubai two days before the matches and practice there. “A three-member security team is going to visit Pakistan on September 1. They will discuss security arrangements with the Punjab Government.” He added the next challenge was to hold an international cricket match in Karachi. “Right now, foreign players and security experts are not ready for a match in Karachi,” Sethi said. “But I have asked my security expert to tour Karachi and draw a security plan so that we can brief ICC’s security team to convince them.”

Sethi made special mention of Giles Clarke, the chairman of the Pakistan Task Force, saying Pakistan was ‘indebted’ to him for his efforts in bringing international cricket to Pakistan. “I thank him from the bottom of my heart,” Sethi said, “and I know the people of Pakistan thank him for his relentless efforts in this direction.” Clarke, for his part, announced his “delight” at the news, calling the tour “not only important for cricket in Pakistan but also for international cricket since it opens the possibility of other teams, media and sponsors visiting Pakistan for bilateral series.” The ICC also welcomed the news of the World XI’s arrival, with chief executive David Richardson saying: “The ICC wants to see regular international cricket being played safely in all its Member countries and the World XI playing Pakistan in Lahore next month is a step towards that for the PCB. We are optimistic that this will be the next step in a steady and safe return of international cricket to Pakistan.”

Captain Du Plessis, in a statement published by the PCB, said that he was happy to do his part in the return of cricket to Pakistan. “I am honoured to have been appointed as captain of such a diverse, attractive and well-balanced side. 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.” On the topic of security, Du Plessis showed his faith in the arrangements made by the PCB. “All the members of the squad have complete faith and trust in the assessment and the judgement of the security experts, who have assured us that there will be no compromise on safety,” said Du Plessis.

“As professionals, we are getting paid to play in the series, but the bottom line is if we don’t feel safe, no amount of money can get us there. We will land in Lahore with nothing but cricket on our minds.” The 33-year-old said he was looking forward to playing in Pakistan. “In my career, I’ve featured in many exciting matches against Pakistan. But playing Pakistan in front of their passionate supporters will be a unique experience, which I can’t wait to experience.” South African Test star Hashim Amla is nursing a shoulder injury but believes he will be fit for the three T20Is in Lahore. “I am looking forward to the trip to Pakistan,” said Amla. “The rehabilitation of my injured shoulder is progressing well and I am confident of being fit for the matches.”

World XI squad:

1: Faf du Plessis (captain) (South Africa)

2: Hashim Amla (South Africa)

3: Samuel Badree (West Indies)

4: George Bailey (Australia)

5: Paul Collingwood (England)

6: Ben Cutting (Australia)

7: Grant Elliott (New Zealand)

8: Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

9: David Miller (South Africa)

10: Morne Morkel (South Africa)

11: Tim Paine (wicketkeeper) (Australia)

12: Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

13: Imran Tahir (South Africa)

14: Darren Sammy (West Indies).

Published in Daily Times, August 25^th 2017.