World XI squad announced for the tour of Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced the 14-member World XI side that will tour Pakistan to play historic three-Twenty20 International match series in September. South African captain Faf du Plessis has been handed over the responsibility of leading the side that boasts of a lot of heavyweights from T20 cricket. The first T20I will be played on September 12, the second on September 13 and the last match of the tour is scheduled on September 15; all the games will be hosted by the Gaddafi Stadium.

Along with Faf, there are four other members of the South African team in the squad. As speculated opener Hashim Amla, middle-order batsman David Miller, pacer Morne Morkel and leg-spinner Imran Tahir have been included. The Proteas form the largest constituent of the team that also has representation from England, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and West Indies.

Former Australian T20I captain George Bailey, all-rounder Ben Cutting and wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine are a part of the side. As expected former English skipper Paul Collingwood who though is a retired international cricketer has been picked for the tour. The only New Zealander and Bangladeshi in the team are Grant Elliot another retired player and Tamim Iqbal.

Samuel Badree and Darren Sammy two members of the World T20 champion West Indies team will also travel to Pakistan.

The series was granted International status by the International Cricket Council (ICC), PCB on its part has ensured the presidential level of security to the players as well as for the ground. To keep things simple all the three matches will be played in Lahore, the Gaddafi Stadium which hosted the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 earlier this year.

Apart from the Indian board, that wasn’t approached either all the major teams including England, New Zealand and Australia had agreed to send their players for the tour to ensure the return of cricket in Pakistan.

World XI squad:

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