Andy Flower cites reason for not picking Indian players in World XI squad

The World XI will commence their short tour in Lahore today when they will be pitted against Pakistan. The side is led by Faf du Plessis and has quality players like Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, David Miller and Ben Cutting. The Pakistan crowd will be agog to witness live action after a gap of 8 years at the Gaddafi Stadium.

du Plessis delighted to contribute to a cause

The Sri Lankan team will be closely watching the proceedings as they are scheduled to tour Pakistan soon after the commencement of the 3-match T20 series. Skipper du Plessis has expressed his delight at being able to contribute to a cause and giving joy to the fans in Pakistan by playing quality cricket in front of them.

“It’s not every day you get an opportunity to play in something that is much more than just about yourself and your own team or your own country,” said World XI skipper Faf du Plessis said.

Andy Flower, who is the coach of the World XI side, spoke to the media ahead of the historic tie. Flower has toured Pakistan with the Zimbabwean team thrice in 1993, 1996 and 1998. He said that his team is “privileged” to be in Pakistan and extended his sympathies to all those people who lost their lives in terrorist attacks in the country.

“We, as the World XI, would also like to offer our sympathy and condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones in terrorist acts in Pakistan,” he said.

“These cricketers are here to play their part in the safe and steady return of international cricket in Pakistan so that the enthusiastic and diehard fans and followers of Pakistan cricket can once again start watching their stars in their own backyard.”

Flower reasons why he didn’t pick Indian players for the series

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi yesterday wished that Indian players could have been a part of the proceedings. A reporter asked the former stumper Flower the same question, to which he replied in a straightforward manner. He outlined political tensions between India and Pakistan which prevented top Indian players to tour Pakistan with the World XI side.

“Given the level of political involvement that would be necessary to get Indian players over here and play, we thought it was simplest to select from the other major test nations,” said Flower.

The second game will be played on Wednesday followed by the last one on Friday. The entire cricketing fraternity is wishing that the tour could go on smoothly so that international cricket is successfully reinstated in Pakistan.