Former England skipper Paul Collingwood is expected to feature in the upcoming ICC’s World XI tour to Pakistan which is comprised of three-match Twenty20 Internationals, as the batsman has $100,000 ($100k) up for the grabs.
“Paul Collingwood is in line to be the English representative in a World XI,” The Guardian revealed.
The initial reports suggested that the batting all-rounder Collingwood is the only player from England, who is tipped to join the ICC event, as the tournament will kick start from September 10 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The 41-year-old Collingwood, who plays for Durham has earlier expressed wish to participate in the tournament, as the World XI matches will be reckoned as international fixtures.
However, the final clearance would come in on the fourth when ICC will conduct the detailed security review in the coming week.
“A security team from ICC will visit Pakistan at the end of this month to view our security plans,” Sethi maintained.
The possible candidate Collingwood in the team will be mentored by former Zimbabwean player Andy Flower, as the development revealed Hashim Amla or Faf du Plessis might lead the side.
On the other side, the leg-spinner Imran Tahir is also expected to roll over his arm during the competition.
Seen as the make-or-break series for Pakistan for the revival of international cricket, Punjab government has recently agreed to provide the President-level security set-up during the one-week visit of foreign players next month.
“[World XI] coached by Andy Flower that will play a three-match series in Pakistan next month as the International Cricket Council brings top-level cricket back to the country,” Guardian added.
As newly-appointed PCB chairman Najam Sethi has put the stamp on the fixture, the World XI squad is expected to be announced in next 24 hours.
Earlier, Sethi revealed at least seven countries are willing to send their players to Pakistan – to feature in the much-awaited 20-over tournament.
“Players from England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have agreed to play,” Sethi revealed during the press in Lahore on August 21 (Monday).
Pertinently, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is trying hard to bring the top flight cricket back to Pakistan after nine years.
Collingwood under whom England convincingly won the 2010 World Cup T20 final against Australia at Bridgetown in Barbados, played 197 ODIs, 68 Tests and 35 T20Is for England.
PCB has further revealed that they’re having the fruitful discussion with West Indies Cricket after the Caribbean Board agreed to play three T20Is in November.
It’s expected the successful World XI tour could simply pave a way for the different tours.
However, in 2015, Pakistan played a five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, before the second edition of Pakistan Super League final was played in Lahore on March 5, this year under tight security grid.