PCB confirms World XI's visit to Pakistan, squad to be named in 72 hours

The newly elected Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Monday confirmed World XI ‘s visit to Pakistan in the month of September. He also added that the name of the players will be confirmed within the next 72 hours. Both the teams will take part in a 3-match T20 series in Lahore. It is an initiative taken by the ICC‘s Pakistan Task Force Chairman Giles Clarke.

Sethi also went on to say that the Punjab Government has ensured that the teams will be provided with ‘Presidential level’ security for the week-long tour. The teams weren’t willing to play elsewhere and thus all the matches will be hosted in Lahore.

Lahore to host all the matches

When asked why all matches will be played in Lahore, Sethi clarified: “No team is ready to play anywhere else other than Lahore.” However, Sethi said that he wants international cricket to return to Karachi too.

“I will meet DG Rangers, Core Commander and CM Sindh when I visit Karachi [to discuss the security arrangements if the city is to host international matches],” said Sethi. “We will make sure international cricket returns to Pakistan soon. We have started receiving positive answers from teams.”

Lahore successfully hosted the PSL final earlier this year and that made a great deal of a difference in nurturing the confidence among the cricket fraternity.

West Indies and Sri Lanka on their way

According to the announcement made by PCB chairman, Cricket West Indies on Monday confirmed to the PCB in an email that they are ready to take part in a three-T20I series in Pakistan. “West Indies has agreed to play three T20Is in Pakistan over four days,” revealed Sethi.

Apart from West Indies, Sri Lanka too are set to play in Pakistan later this year.