Pakistani cricket grounds have waited too long for international cricket to return home and now this dream is about to become a reality. PCB chairman Najam Sethi announced that a 14 man squad with high profile international cricketers will be visiting Pakistan to play 3 T20 matches, called the Independence Cup, in Lahore. The matches will take place in September and everyone is just really happy about this, and why shouldn’t we be?
Faf Du Plessis will captain the World XI side.
South Africa's @faf1307 will lead a World XI in a 3 match T20 series against Pakistan in Lahore next month. pic.twitter.com/yMwBQNhbOL
— ICC (@ICC) August 24, 2017
South African cricketer Faf du Plessis will be captaining the World XI side who will be playing in Lahore for a 3 match series. Other players included in the World XI team include Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir from South Africa. West Indian cricketers Sammy and Samuel Badree are also a part of the team. And this is not all, Paul Collingwood, Tamim Iqbal, Tim Paine, Grant Elliot, George Bailey and Thisara Pererra will also be seen in action at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The games will be star studded.
Star-studded World XI squad set to tour Pakistan for three match T20I series. pic.twitter.com/u6xoTlPwu5
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) August 24, 2017
PSL final included a few international players but this time, it is bigger and better. PSL final opened doors for international cricket to return to Pakistan and finally, we have all the big names from all over the world agreeing to play cricket in Pakistan. Which definitely is a great deal for Pakistan and hopefully after this Independence Cup the world will consider Pakistan safe for international cricket. We hope to see more matches in future with all the big teams coming to Pakistan.
The international players share their thoughts.
Proud to have been selected for the World XI squad for the Independence Cup in Pakistan. To play… https://t.co/7Bd4XXEbO8
— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) August 24, 2017
England cricketer Paul Collingwood tweeted that he is proud to play the Independence Cup in Pakistan.
Really honoured to be selected for the World XI, touring Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/0a33fbWmIf
— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) August 24, 2017
Grant Elliot expressed same sentiments.
Well, Pakistanis also thanked them.
Appreciate my work 🙂 pic.twitter.com/gutsSJ6Qj3
— Annie | GOT spoiler (@n0isybutters) August 24, 2017
Thank you for coming to Pakistan (not you though).
Yes, Harsha, we didn’t expect this either.
Pretty good World XI side assembled to go to Lahore. To be honest, I didn't expect so many to sign up. Hope it goes well.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 24, 2017
This actually is a bit too unexpected with so many international stars coming to play in Pakistan after ages. But thanks Harsha for the wishing us well.
The concern is real.
Achay cricketers bulanay ke chakkar mai itni pharru team bana di hai World XI. Khushi bhi hai lekin thori phatt bhi rahi hai.
— nma (@namaloomafraaad) August 24, 2017
Can we win one match at least?
That’s one way to look at it.
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/900685278959984640
Well jokes apart, let’s just hope everything goes smoothly and we get to see great games of cricket. Credits to PCB and all the organizing parties for making this happen.
