Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has hailed the efforts of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for making the international game possible in the embattled country.
“First of all congratulations to Pakistan and the credit must go to the cricket board for putting up great effort to convince the star players across the globe,” Shoaib told Geo News.
The 35-year-old batting all-rounder Malik has been a strong force to reckon for Pakistan cricket, as he further believes the visiting side led by Faf du Plessis has a strong batting order while adding the hosts are banking on their confidence following the ICC Champions Trophy triumph in England.
“Our players play domestic cricket so they are well trained, as the World XI have quality batting line-up available, but the players are high on confidence” Shoaib added.
The versatile right-handed batsman Malik added to win or to lose is the part and parcel of the game, but they would love to play the competitive cricket at their home ground.
Moreover, Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting revealed he will narrate his story to his kids by helping Pakistan for the revival of the elite-level in Pakistan.
“With my kids in 20 years time will be out to say that I helped to take cricket back to Pakistan,” Cutting told ESPNcricinfo.
The 30-year Sunnybank-born Cutting, who is the part of the 14-member squad of ICC’s World XI revealed he has talked about length and breadth with family about his Pakistan visit, before stating his first choice has been to see cricket returning to the embattled nation.
“I talked about it a lot with my family and the thing that stood out for me and the first thing that came to my mind was being able to take international cricket back to Pakistan,” Cutting said.
While talking to the media persons ahead of the three-match series, Malik, who was training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, believes the hosts would give their best, as he urged the experienced campaigners to set an example for the newcomers.
“Senior players need to guide the youngsters,” Malik remarked.
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However, Malik, who has lot of experience on his back, stated it is the grand prospect for the fresh legs to entertain the home crowd while rising to the occasion.
“This is a big opportunity for new players to play in front of their own people. Those feelings can’t be described in words,” Malik concluded.
Moreover, Pakistan head coach from South Africa Mickey Arthur reiterated the Independence Cup is the stepping stone for Pakistan’s elite-level cricket
Coming to the conclusion, Malik revealed he has not given a thought about 2019 and 2023 World Cup while the prime focus is on the current series which would set up the tone for Pakistan cricket in the foreseeable future.
It’s pertinent to mention that World XI side will arrive in Lahore on Monday (September 11), as Pakistan side led by wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed started off their training camp on September 7 excluding leg-spinning allrounder Shadab Khan, who was participating in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The first match is scheduled on September 12 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore at 7:30 PM IST.