Shahid Afridi backs the World XI tour, wishes neighbours participated

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi is delighted to see that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is backing cricket in Pakistan again. World XI will play three T20 internationals on September 12, 13 and 15 in Lahore after holding a two-day camp in Dubai. Afridi posted a tweet supporting the initiative but also added that it would have been great to see Indian players participate too.

Cricket has not been played in Pakistan since the terror attack in the year 2009 on the Sri Lankan cricket bus. Only Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have participated in a bilateral series with Pakistan. Neighbouring country Sri Lanka will be playing a T20 series in Pakistan post the World XI series. West Indies too have shown interest in playing a T20I series with the green brigade.

All the World XI matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium. Lahore was the venue for the PSL finals this year and has earned good reviews on the way it was conducted, including the security.

“I am delighted that Pakistan will be hosting a high-profile series, which features several top international cricketers from a number of ICC Members. “This tour is 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,” said Giles Clarke.

“I am delighted that Pakistan will be hosting a high-profile series, which features several top international cricketers from a number of ICC Members.“This tour is 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,” he added.

World XI squad:

Faf du Plessis (South Africa, captain), Hashim Amla (SA), George Bailey (Australia), Paul Collingwood (England), Ben Cutting (Aus), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), David Miller (SA), Tim Paine (Aus, WK), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Darren Sammy (West Indies), Samuel Badree (WI), Morne Morkel (SA), Imran Tahir (SA)

Here is Afridi’s tweet

The all-rounder wrote- “Really pleased that PCB- ICC have joined hands to bring cricket back home to Pak. Would ‘ve been great to see some Indian players too”