T20 Series Preview: When and Where to Watch Pakistan Vs World XI; Independence Cup 2017

Sep 11, 2017 at 7:07 PM

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T20 Series Preview: When and Where to Watch Pakistan Vs World XI; Independence Cup 2017

Pakistan is aiming for a booming surge of interest in gentleman’s game and it is expected be a historic day for cricket in particular owing to the revival, commitment and anticipation of the spectators after being deprived of the top-flight cricket regarding calendar-year fixtures, since 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.

As cricketers seemed to be much satisfied with the top-quality arrangements made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while banking on the Punjab government owing to the foolproof security, the die-hard fans are equally excited to witness the cricket returning back to Pakistan after eight years barring the five-match limited-overs series in 2015 against Zimbabwe which has witnessed a jam-packed stadium cheering for the game.

Cricket would not have been possible without the strenuous efforts put up at the first instance by the security agencies – that was pretty much visible when the ICC recognized World XI team arrived at Lahore International Airport amid air surveillance, before the 13-member squad was whisked to the team hotel in Lahore, as Samuel Badree is bound to join the squad on September 11.

Pakistan:

Pakistan squad had gone through a rigorous training at the NCA. Photo AP.

(Read Also: Grant Elliott Pleased With Security Measures in Pakistan for World XI Tour)

The wily customer Hasan Ali, who starred with the ball for Pakistan, has a crucial role to play if Amir would miss out all three matches in the span of four days.

Strength:

The Champions Trophy hero for Men in Green Fakhar Zaman would be eyeing to continue his form. However, it’s the different format, as the left-handed explosive batsman would be tested at the home conditions.

However, Pakistan has a history of producing quality bowlers than batters.

Weakness:

The right-handed batsman, Ahmed Shehzad is expected to give a cautious start to the hosts, as he wound be definitely under pressure after going through a lean patch.
Shoaib Malik would be a key figure in the middle as Sohail Khan and Aamer Yamin has also been named in the squad to strengthen the side.

Pakistan has struggled in the batting, as the precarious situation has worsened the cause for the hosts in the recent past particularly with the willow.

The 2017 Champions Trophy winners received a huge blow, as left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir is in the United Kingdom with his wife Narjis Khatun, who is expecting first child in the coming week.

The Expectations:

On the other side, promising all-rounder Faheem Ashraf alongside Imad Wasim could play a multi purpose role in Pakistan lineup down the order, before showing their skills with the white ball.

Pertinently, the hosts Pakistan would be banking on the senior campaigners, as youngsters have also shown the promise during the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.

World XI:

World XI Coach Andy Flower and skipper Faf du Plessis revealing a team jersey prior to the start of Independence Cup. Photo Credit: AP.

While talking about the ICC’s World XI, the visitors include five players from the Proteas national team.

Faf du Plessis led side has a strong batting line-up which inclides George Bailey, Hashim Amla, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, who all are capable of changing the complexion of the game.

The Experience:

It has been always said that experience has played a significant part, as it would be eventually a daunting task to cut out for the visitors which is further comprised of former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood.

All-rounder at the helm:

While covering all the bases, the all-rounders are supposed to come in handy for the World XI as the side has availed the services of Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) and Darren Sammy from Windies.

The Bowling Arsenal:

The lanky fast bowler Morne Morkel is a man to watch out for, who could yield the results while bending his back.

The leg-spinners would not have much effect on the sub-continent batsmen, but Imran Tahir and Samuel Badree has been known for picking up wickets at regular intervals owing to their experience at the elite-level cricket.

Series Prediction:

Predictions are always hard to be made as we all know cricket is the game of glorious uncertainties. Nevertheless, it is expected to be the challenging competition between both the teams, but the hosts are being seen to have slightly an upper-hand over the visitors, as we are expecting the result could fall in their favour by 2-1 in the 20-over format.

The Security Grid:

Paramilitary troops guarding Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Photo Credit: AP.

(Read Further: ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar Hopeful Of Reviving Cricket In Pakistan)

According to the Pakistan media, the much-anticipated series will witness around 10,000 paramilitary personnel and police guarding the team hotel including the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for at least five days, in a bid to thwart any untoward incident during the historic series.

Earlier, the Presidential-level security was promised to the players, as ICC Task Force has already given a green signal to the competition which would further witness the special commando cordoning off the area.

Moreover, the multiple security checkpoints have been erected outside the Gaddafi stadium as the shops in the vicinity are supposed to be shut during the series.

Make or Break:

Pakistan Cricket Board has been at the forefront to resume cricket in Pakistan, but at the same time management of the Board has faced the tough challenge during the pre-planning, as many major nations refused to play in the embattled country owing to the security concerns.

Pertinently, the three-match series is thoroughly seen as a road map for the return of top-flight cricket back to the Pakistan which has been process of hard-work both from the PCB and the world cricket governing body ICC, as the administrators have offered hefty amount to the players.

A Step Towards Success:

The view of technical room prior to the Independence Cup. Photo Credit: Mazher Arshad.

Following the significant role played by the stakeholders in Pakistan, the senior and former players have lauded the efforts of the Board at the first instance for arranging the series which has been allowed an international status by the ICC.

Newly-appointed chairman of the PCB Najam Sethi was the first administrator to float the idea of playing the final of second edition of the Pakistan Super League which was eventually hosted at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore successfully on March 5.

As everybody is glad to see top-level international cricket grabbing the headlines, the authorities revealed it’s a small step to entertain cricket-starved fans in Pakistan.

The Historic Move:

Hoping to end the international cricket isolation, ICC have had joined hands with PCB to organize the cricket series which has convinced players from seven nations while offering the hefty amount.

However, the international players are excited to be the part of the all-important competition, as former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi stated the players from India would have had made it even more interesting competition if they would have been in the visitors squad.

Posters Presence in Lahore:

Lahore has been decorated with billboards and posters of International stars featuring in the World XI side. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

As cricket is seen some sort of a carnival back in Pakistan these days, the county has further produced star cricketers in the recent past in the gentleman’s game.

Cricket in Pakistan is on the brink of scripting the history, as the different roads have further witnessed the banners of international stars ahead of the series opener which shows how the fans are excited to witness professionals challenging each other at the ground.

Several cricketers echoed the words by saying Cricket for Pakistan is more than it, as the game is been seen as festival in the country which is yet to witness a Test fixture since 2009 after Sri Lankan team came under gory attack which put the curtains on International cricket in Pakistan.

Squads, Live Streaming, Timing and where you can watch the three-match T20I series:

Gaddafi Stadium all set to host the historic game. Photo Credit: Mazher Arshad.

Here are the Squads for the Independence Cup 2017:

Pakistan’s 16-men Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (Skipper and WK), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Ruman Raees, Sohail Khan and Usman Khan

World XI’s 14-member squad: Faf du Plessis (Skipper), Tim Paine (Gloveman), Hashim Amla, Samuel Badree, George Bailey, Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliott, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir and Darren Sammy.

Know the list of umpires for the first match?

Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar and Shozab Raza as third umpire

Who’s the match Referee for three T20Is?

Richie Richardson from Windies

Where all three games will be hosted by PCB?

The Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

The series opener is scheduled on:

1st Twenty20 International on September 12 (Tuesday)

Match Timing:

The match proceedings will be beginning at 19:30 hrs (7:30 PM Ist)

Streaming if no access to the Television or Cable network:

The web streaming of the match will be accessed at https://www.cricketgateway.com (global broadcaster) for the series.

Where you can watch it on the Television?

The match will be telecasted by Discovery’s DSports from 7:30 PM onwards here in India.

The company which has sponsored the Independence Cup?

Brighto Paints, from Pakistan, is the main sponsor of the 20-over series.

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