ICC confirms plans for World XI series in Pakistan

All the matches, scheduled for later this year, would take place in Lahore and be accorded full Twenty20 international status.

Published : Jun 24, 2017 00:59 IST , London

Pakistan hasn’t seen international cricket, besides a limited-overs series involving Zimbabwe, since a terrorist attack aborted Sri Lanka’s visit in 2009.
Pakistan hasn’t seen international cricket, besides a limited-overs series involving Zimbabwe, since a terrorist attack aborted Sri Lanka’s visit in 2009.
lightbox-info

Pakistan hasn’t seen international cricket, besides a limited-overs series involving Zimbabwe, since a terrorist attack aborted Sri Lanka’s visit in 2009.

 

Plans for the full resumption of international cricket in Pakistan moved forward on Friday when the sport's global governing body said it wanted to send a World XI to the country later this year.

With the exception of Zimbabwe's tour two years ago, Pakistan has had to play all of its 'home' matches outside of the country since a 2009 terror attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore.

But Friday saw the International Cricket Council, following the conclusion of its annual meeting in London, announce that plans for a World XI to play in Pakistan later this year were "continuing to be developed". The ICC board said it had agreed to support a three-game Twenty20 series between Pakistan and a World XI in a bid to help revive international cricket in the country.

All the matches would take place in Lahore and be accorded full Twenty20 international status, the ICC said, adding "further details will be announced in due course."

After Pakistan's stunning 180-run win over arch-rival India in the final of the One-Day International Champions Trophy tournament at The Oval last week, coach Mickey Arthur said he hoped the visit of the World XI would go ahead. "We're scheduled to have a World XI in Pakistan in September for three Twenty20 games," he said. "So hopefully that starts paving the way for future tours. We can only hope."

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed added: "I hope this win will boost Pakistan cricket and all the (major) playing nations will come to Pakistan.

Giles Clarke, the president of the England and Wales Cricket Board and head of the ICC's Pakistan task force said, in comments reported by the Guardian in March: "The desire is to give the cricket-starved Pakistani supporters the chance to see some of the world's finest players in live action. Furthermore, the terrorists cannot win and cricket must not give up on Pakistan."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment