Also read: Tamim vows support to bring cricket back to Pakistan
The World XI will be led by South Africa captain Francois du Plessis and will feature Hashim Amla, Paul Collingwood, Darren Sammy, Morne Morkel, Grant Elliott, George Bailey, Samuel Badree, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, David Miller, Imran Tahir and Ben Cutting. Andy Flower has been appointed coach. “As said earlier, I am proud at being able to represent World XI. The whole team are to meet in Dubai and travel together to Lahore. Hope the series will be an exciting and successful one,” said Tamim. Hosting World XI is one of the many efforts of the PCB to return international cricket to the country. Pakistan were suspended from hosting international cricket since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009 in Lahore.
Also read: Du Plessis to captain T20 World XI in Pakistan
Since the incident, Pakistan have been forced to host all home series in the UAE. However, improved security recently saw Zimbabwe and Bangladesh women’s team travel to Pakistan and give hope to the country to have international cricket back. Pakistan are scheduled to host the West Indies and Sri Lanka for T20I series later this year. Tamim said the Test-playing nations should have the harmony to assist each other in need and have congratulated the organisers for taking such initiative. “The initiative is a good one from the ICC and Pakistan’s future of hosting international cricket will depend on this (Pakistan v World XI) series. A successful series will mean more international sides will be interested in travelling to the country,” said Tamim.
