Faf du Plessis to lead World XI to Pakistan
AFP - South African Skipper Faf du Plessis will lead a World XI Team to play three Twenty20 matches in Pakistan, authorities announced yesterday in a huge coup for a cricket-mad country eager to revive the international game.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi announced the Proteas Captain’s participation along with a list of illustrious names from seven Test playing countries.
“The World XI will play three Twenty20 Internationals for the Independence Cup against Pakistan in Lahore on 12, 13 and 15 September,” Sethi told a press conference in Lahore.
England’s ICC World Twenty20 2010 winning Captain Paul Collingwood, West Indies’ Darren Sammy, South African Hashim Amla, Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal and Australia’s George Bailey will also be part of the World XI.
Other players for the World XI include David Miller (South Africa), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Samuel Badree (West Indies), Ben Cutting (Australia), Morne Morkel (South Africa), Tim Paine (Australia), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) and Imran Tahir (South Africa).
Former Zimbabwe Captain and ex-england Coach Andy Flower will coach the side, which is set to arrive in Lahore on September 11 after attending a two-day camp in Dubai, said the PCB.
Du Plessis, who recently led South Africa on the tour of England, said he was ‘honoured’ to tour Pakistan.
“All the members of the squad have complete faith and trust in the assessment and judgment of the security experts, who have assured us that there will be no comprise on the safety and security of all those involved in the series,” he said according to a PCB statement.
If the World XI tour goes off without problems, Pakistan hope Sri Lanka will also play a Twenty20 in Lahore in October - a match which will be hugely symbolic for the return of international cricket - followed by a three-match Twenty20 series against West Indies in November.