While leaving Pakistan, as hosts successfully conducted a three-match series between September 12 and 15 respectively, the World XI players assembled for a memorable group photograph in which they wear the special masks which Commandos prefer to wear by and large while being the elite force of any military set-up.
During the short-stay, the ICC’s World XI players during the past five days revealed they have enjoyed their trip to Pakistan, before sharing the picture — to thank the security establishments and concerned authorities in Pakistan for hosting the Independence Cup 2017.
As the Windies players are being often seen as great source of entertainment on the field, the former skipper and two-time Twenty20 champion from Caribbean Darren Sammy is one among those players, who knows how to make one laugh with his dramatic performances off-and-on the field.
While expressing his excitement the 33-year-old St Lucia-born star all-rounder Sammy without wasting any time took to his Twitter handle with the masked photograph alongside his teammates which saw the caption as: ‘We became commandos’.
We became Commandos pic.twitter.com/gUv01ePUYn
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) September 16, 2017
(Read Also: Faf du Plessis Thanks Pakistan for the Independence Cup)
Bidding the adieu to the cricket-starved fans on September 16 (Sunday), several players vowed to visit Pakistan adding if the security would remain similar to their first visit to Pakistan.
However, the visiting side lost the series 1-2, but they eventually went on to win hearts of the spectators, who were eagerly waiting and hoping against hope — to witness the major team visiting the country after being isolated from international cricket particularly for home fixtures for around six years, before Zimbabwe paid a visit in 2015, for a short bilateral series.
Time to fly and leave Lahore on @emirates. Great group of team mates and proper memories. Thank you Pakistan #cricketkihalala #PakVsWXI pic.twitter.com/05Vd0L4zrn
— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) September 16, 2017
Pertinently, post 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, Pakistan adopted their second home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where they have tasted the success in nutshell.
However, the hosts led by wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed clinched the World Series and eventually lifted the title after thrashing the visitors in the Friday’s decider by 33 runs after opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad scored match-winning 89, as he was adjudged Man of the Match.
While chasing down the target of 184, World XI ran out of overs as the Faf du Plessis side managed to score 150 for 8, in allotted 20 overs during the Independence Cup 2017.
#spiritofcricket we are a family.. Let's finish on a high pic.twitter.com/qHC4JDGe9i
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) September 15, 2017
Earlier, after Punjab Government has agreed upon to provide the Presidential-level security to the players while being in talks with the national cricket body Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the ICC’s Task Team Head Giles Clarke has also expressed his satisfaction owing to the security and much-required placements put to the fore during the visit.
Coming to the conclusion, ICC chief executive Dave Richardson believes it is a small step towards the resumption of international cricket and many has to be done to make it a huge success.