Independence Cup to open doors for international cricket in Pakistan: Mickey Arthur

LAHORE: Head Coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team Mickey Arthur said on Sunday that the Independence Cup will open gates for international cricket in the country, adding that Pakistan wants to win the series.

Arthur said that the series against the World XI is very important for the Pakistani side and they are not taking the other side lightly at all.

“We are also focusing on World Cup 2019,” said Arthur while talking to Geo News.

 Pakistan Cricket Team Manager Talat Ali said that the World XI coming to Pakistan is a big news and the other side is a tough opponent.

The morale of the players after winning the ICC Champions Trophy is very high, he added.

The tickets for the much-awaited Independence Cup’s first match on September 12 have sold out, although fans are trying their best to get their hands on the tickets for the second and third matches.

The Bank of Punjab’s 20 branches will remain open today from where tickets can be bought for matches two and three on September 13 and 15.

Meanwhile, Sarfraz XI and Imad XI are playing a practice match today to prepare for the Independence Cup.

On Thursday, 13 players from the national squad for the series arrived at the camp in Lahore.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir will miss the early days of the camp, as he is with his wife in England who is expecting the couple’s first child.

Spinner Shadab Khan is also likely to miss the first day of the training due to his commitment in the Caribbean Premier League.

The World XI squad, captained by South Africa's Faf du Plessis, will arrive in Pakistan on September 11.