Almost after 2 years, Pakistan is going to host a cricket series on their land. The World XI vs Pakistan 3-match series is going to commence from September 12. All the games will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Ahead of the first match, the skipper of World XI, Faf du Plessis interacted with the media personnel. While addressing a press conference, du Plessis stated that World XI tour to Pakistan is bigger than the game and can help revive international cricket in the country.
Faf du Plessis said,”It’s fair to say that this will be the first time when we actually come into play cricket for something which is much bigger than the game itself. We look forward to what will be a great week of cricket.”
Working closely with the International Cricket Council’s Pakistan Task Force team headed by Englishman Giles Clarke, the PCB managed to draw international players and prove once again it’s safe to play matches in the country. Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower is the coach of the World XI and convinced players from South Africa, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies and Australia to tour Pakistan.
Du Plessis said security was obviously the players’ main concern before agreeing to take part. He said,”When this whole thing came about, you do think about that (security) sort of things. But as soon as we spoke to the people who were in control of the security, the planning as a player all you want was that peace of mind and they gave it to us.”
Flower took feedback from his younger brother Grant, who has been the Pakistan team’s batting coach the past three years.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi said he had the support of the ICC in organizing the series and hoped it will pave the way for next month’s Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka and with a planned three-match T20 series against the West Indies. “We know this is a small step in many ways but a huge leap for Pakistan. We now expect more doors to open,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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