Andy Flower to pick the World XI team for the tour of Pakistan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will organize a World XI series against Pakistan in where the teams will play three T20Is in Pakistan. All three games will be played only either in Lahore or Karachi will be involved as the second venue. The two cities enjoy the much cricket craze, boasting of a rich cricket culture. No international matches have been played in Pakistan since 2009, barring a visit by Zimbabwe in 2015.

In March 2009, the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked near the Gaddafi Stadium, after which Pakistan have been playing all their home games at UAE because other countries felt unsafe to tour the war-torn country. However, the situation has improved now, and the final of the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was safely hosted in Lahore. Moreover, Pakistan’s win in the Champions Trophy 2017 has further strengthened their case to finally bring back cricket in the country. Hopefully, the World XI game will mark the return of cricket to the country.

The Zimbabwean who is a former England coach Andy Flower has been assigned the job of selecting the World XI squad to play Pakistan. “The ICC handed over responsibility to Andy Flower to pick the 15 best players for the World XI squad,” Dawn quoted a PCB official as saying. “The ICC will make a final decision on the selection of the squad,” the official added.

Will don the coach’s hat too

Andy will also be coaching the World XI side. PCB chairman Shahryar Khan also confirmed on Pakistan television that “Andy Flower will be the coach of the touring World XI side. Heard that Hashim Amla, Michael Clarke, along with New Zealander Luke Ronchi and Australian Tim Paine, are going to be part of the team.”