Afridi will be star attraction against World XI today

KARACHI: Dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead Pakistan XI while former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya will lead International XI. Shahid Afridi, who struggled with the bat in the recent past, will be star attraction for his big band of supporters.

World XI skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, hard hitting Ricardo Powell of West Indies, South African opener Loots Boseman and fast bowler Andre Nel would be the star attraction. Paceman Shapoor Zadran and wicketkeeper/batsman Muhammad Shehzad Muhammadi, who recently featured in the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka will also be watched with great interest.

Ice will break as Pakistan XI take on an International World XI in the opening of two Twenty20 exhibition cricket matches at National Stadium under lights here on Saturday at 7.00.
Despite the exhibition status of the matches, it has generated a huge interest among the international cricket starved people of Pakistan. This is for the first time since March 2, 2009 when some international cricketers are visiting Pakistan after terrorists attack on the bus carrying Sri Lankan players near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

"The successful holding of these matches will be a major boost for the return of international cricket to Pakistan," Chief Organizer and Sindh Sports Minister Dr Muhammad Ali Shah said on the eve of the matches. "It is like a dream come true. I hope the game followers will enjoy the entertainment and action of international cricketers for the first time in over three years,' Dr.Shah a diehard supporter and promoter of cricket, commented.

"We have finalized all the arrangements to hold these matches in a befitting manner under tight security," Dr.Shah, said. In the meantime International World XI players underwent two hours training session at Karachi Gymkhana in build-up for the match. "We all geared-up to provide entertainment and excitement to Pakistan public," Sanath Jayasuriya said after the training session.

Teams from: Pakistan XI: Shahid Afridi (Captain), Younus Khan, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Shahzaib Hasan, Khalid Latif, Umer Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Umer Gul, Muhammad Sami, Wahab Riaz, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faisal Iqbal, Anwar Ali and Imran Nazir.

International World XI: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Ricardo Powell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Charles Lawson, Adam Sanford (West Indies), Lungile Bosman, Mthandeki Tschabalala, Andre Nel, Andre Johann Seymore, M.Hayword (South Africa), Shapoor Zadran and Muhammad Shehzad- WK (Afghanistan).
Officials: Alvin Kallicharan (coach), Shoaib Muhammad (Assistant coach), Jeff Millar (Manager).