World XI tour will give new identity to Pakistan: Zaheer Abbas

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas is happy that the cricket is coming back to his country. On Monday he said that the tour of World XI will give Pakistan cricket a new identity. He is also confident that International cricket will resume in the country after they successful host this series.

The World XI led by Faf du Plessis is set to visit Pakistan for a 3 T20 Internationals tour. All the matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 13 and 15. Prior to the series, the visiting team will practice in Dubai to prepare for the contest. Abbas was disappointed that Pakistan was deprived of international cricket for so long.

“It is a new beginning of international cricket in Pakistan after a long gap and definitely it will serve the cause of cricket in the country,” he said. “But these dark nights are now finally over and a new era of cricket will soon begin and a full house at the Gaddafi stadium will welcome the arrival of international cricket,” the ICC President asserted.

Zaheer showered praises on PCB and ICC

He showered his praises on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as well as the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has taken immense efforts in organising this series. “Both (PCB and the ICC ) worked hard together in close coordination to address this issue (return of cricket) and it is good to see that finally these efforts have yielded productive results as the World XI is visiting Pakistan to play three T20 games,” said the former batting great.

He also said that being with the ICC, he also encouraged the moves by PCB and supported them always but the things never went ahead. He also mentioned that cricket is a sport which brings people together and the return of cricket in Pakistan will also increase the confidence of the players.

“Cricket is a binding force and adds to national unity and brotherhood, it is the identity of Pakistan globally due to country’s excellence because of team’s success in world cup, champions trophy and other elite cricket events,” he said adding. “The resumption of international cricket will help in enhancing the confidence and experience of the players while playing in their own stadiums in front of lively crowd,” Zaheer signed off wishing PCB all the success in hosting the World XI.