ICC gives go-ahead to send World XI to Pakistan for T20 series

By
Faizan Lakhani
|

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council has approved the plan to send an ICC World XI team in Pakistan this year for a three-match T20 series against Pakistan.

The plan, now backed by ICC board, is aimed to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.

“Plans for a World XI to play in Pakistan later this year continue to be developed as the ICC Board confirmed its support of Pakistan’s efforts to bring international cricket back to Pakistan,” said ICC in a statement after its board meeting in London.

“In light of this the Board agreed to support the staging of a Pakistan v World XI event in Lahore later this year, a three-game series of T20 games that will be accorded international status,” it said.

The idea of sending a world XI team to Pakistan was presented by Giles Clarke, the head of Pakistan’s Task Force Team in ICC after successful conduct of PSL final in Lahore earlier this year.

No major test team has toured Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009, the ice was, however, broken in 2015 when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan to play three ODIs and two T20Is in Lahore.

The list of players visiting with World XI squad is yet to be known, but it is expected that following backing of ICC’s board, all major Test nations will have representation in the event.

The visit will boost attempts of PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan and Chairman PSL Najam Sethi for bringing international cricket back to Pakistan.