The Story
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has confirmed the participation of 15 players from seven countries in the upcoming World XI tour which comprises of a three-match T20 series in Lahore next month.
This development has also come just after a day it was announced that the West Indies team will tour the country in November for three T20Is.
The tournament is set to be a huge step, perhaps a historic one, in the direction of reviving international cricket in Pakistan. The country faced isolation as a cricketing nation after the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
After years of deprival, things seem to be taking a positive turn finally for the cricket mad fans in the country.
Fans rejoice
“Players from England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe have agreed to play the World XI tournament in Pakistan. India has declined to send its players,” Najam Sethi, the new PCB chairman said while addressing a press conference.
A former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower has been assigned to select the squad for the tour. He will coach the World XI. The tournament has been financially supported by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“A security team from ICC will visit Pakistan at the end of this month to view our security plans,” Sethi said, adding that the Punjab government has given the PCB a green signal for the implementation of the plan.
Karachi In Midst As Host
While Lahore has been finalised as the venue for the upcoming World XI contests, initially there were talks about Karachi also getting the opportunity to host. However, it could not happen.
“Unfortunately, wherever I go, they tell me they are willing to send their players to Lahore as we successfully conducted the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final here. However, they [do] say that if we are able to conduct some PSL matches in Karachi next time, they will reconsider that option too. At the moment, we will focus on what we have right now and conduct the tournament in Lahore, “the PCB chief explained.
Discussing the return of international cricket to Pakistan, Sethi revealed that Sri Lanka has agreed to visit Pakistan if the World XI series has safe conclusions.
“Cricket West Indies and PCB are in talks that will see the Windies visiting Pakistan for a three-match T20 series in Lahore in November,” Sethi said.