Ahead of the three-match Twenty20 series, South African veteran batsman Hashim Amla is stirred to play in Pakistan while being the part of ICC’s World XI side which is scheduled to play the first match on Tuesday (September 12) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“We are all really excited to get to Pakistan and be part of something special – of introducing international cricket slowly and safely back in Pakistan,” Amla was quoted as saying by IOL Sport.
It’s pertinent the World XI squad-led by Faf du Plessis arrived in the wee hours of the Monday morning at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, under tight security which further saw Amla recalling the memorable moments he spent in Pakistan, in the former years.
The World XI stars are all set to embark on the journey to Lahore.
Bring it on!#CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/8M3C98LmNF— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2017
Amla, who has been scoring runs at the brisk pace particularly in two formats of the game including One-day Internationals, revealed the visiting side is a quality team, as he has expected the close fight between the World XI and Pakistan-led by wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed.
“We have a very good team. We have got quality in other international players. So we have a really good team but So hopefully it will be closely contested series,” Amla remarked.
However, Amla believes Pakistani youngsters have a potential to give their best while having good players in the lineup, as he feels the experience would come in handy while playing alongside national side players in the international fixtures.
“Pakistan are a quality team too. They being the Champions Trophy winners they have always been a commendable team in T20. I have played with our captain Faf du Plessis and three other South African players,” Amla further added.
The other three players include batsmen David Miller and du Plessis, fast bowler Morne Morkel and leg-spinner, Imran Tahir.
World XI arrival in Pakistan #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/AAcqYyTQmm
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2017
Expected to be an exciting Challenge, Amla believes the fans have had always played a huge role, as he is hoping to entertain his fan while being among the bulk of runs during the series which has an international status.
“Pakistani supporters are fantastic wherever we have been in the world and they have been outstanding whenever we played them. Even when playing them in neutral venues the fans made it look like it is their home game,” Amla maintained.
The batting prodigy Amla, who has enjoyed the Test series in Pakistan, is one of the five players from South Africa to participate in the historical series in an embattled country like Pakistan, as the aim is to revive international cricket in Pakistan.
“I have good memories of playing Test cricket there and we managed to win that Test series when not many teams could do it. The crowd made the atmosphere great,” Amla concluded.
The 34-year-old Durban-born Amla reminisced about his first Test innings when he scored 71 runs at National Stadium in Karachi.
In 2007, the Proteas registered a 1-0 victory against Pakistan in the Test series when Amla was the part of the visiting side for the two-match series.
Pertinently, no major side in the gentleman’s game visited Pakistan after the 2009 gruesome attack on Sri Lankan team bus.
In 2015, Zimbabwe played five matches which were further comprised of three ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.
The other two games will be played on September 13 and 15 under floodlights at the same venue.