LAHORE, Pakistan: With just a one day to left, the South African Faf du Plessis led ICC World XI reached Lahore on Monday for three-match Independence Cup which will pave the way for return of International Cricket in Pakistan.
ICC World XI will play three T20 matches on September 12, September 13 and September 15 at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore against Pakistan led by Sarfraz Ahmad.
The 14-member squad comprising players from seven nations landed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport in the wee hours.
The Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi, Chief Operating Officer, Subhan Ahmad, and Director Domestic Cricket Haroon Rasheed warmly received the players at the airport.
The World XI members who have reached Lahore includes Coach Andy Flower, Captain Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, George Bailey Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliott, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy and Imran Tahir.
World XI arrival in Pakistan #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/AAcqYyTQmm
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2017
World XI arrival in Pakistan #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/jf74c87JBX
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2017
The West Indian Samuel Badree will arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening.
Meanwhile strict security arrangement had been put in place when the visitors were driven to a local hotel. The entire route from airport to hotel was heavily guarded.
The jam-packed Gadaffi Stadium is expected tomorrow when the inaugural match of Independence Cup will take place as all tickets have already been sold out.
Independence Cup is likely to be followed by Sri Lanka and West Indies tours to Pakistan in coming months if the International event proceeds successfully.
