ICC welcomes World XI Tour of Pakistan

Dubai: ICC has welcomed the World XI's tour of Pakistan following the naming of the team, which will travel to Lahore in September for a three game series.

The team comprises big names like Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla from South Africa, former international captains like Paul Collingwood of England, George Bailey of Australia and Darren Sammy of the West Indies.

Giles Clarke, the ICC Director, who has served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Task Team since 2009, was optimistic that the series will be the first step towards international cricket returning safely to Pakistan with more T20 International matches against Sri Lanka and the Windies penciled in for later in the year.

Clarke, who had visited Lahore in January, said: "I am delighted that Pakistan will be hosting a high-profile series, which features several top international cricketers from a number of ICC Members.

"This tour is not only important for cricket in Pakistan but also for international cricket since it opens the possibility of other teams, media and sponsors visiting Pakistan for bilateral series," said Clarke.

Clarke termed Pakistan as an important member of the parent body.

"Pakistan has been an important member of the ICC and the cricket community has felt its pain. As part of its duty of care, the cricket community has always ensured that the sport is not affected due to no fault of the PCB, when it has continued to play its away series off-shore.

"The ICC Members releasing their top players and the respective player unions backing this series is testament to the support the world has extended to Pakistan during these difficult times. The focus of everyone in the international game is the safe return of cricket to Pakistan," he added.

Clarke is happy that cricket lovers in Pakistan will get to watch live action in their own country.

"It will be an excellent opportunity for Pakistan fans to watch live in action not only their local stars but also the international cricket heroes. I wish the PCB and the World XI best of luck and will be following the matches from the Gaddafi Stadium."

The Pakistan Task Team, which was formed in June 2009 and also included ICC Chief Executive David Richardson (then ICC General Manager, Cricket), made 63 recommendations in June 2011 about the organisation of the game in the country.

The PCB accepted most of those recommendations and it resulted in the side remaining competitive at the top level, evident from the fact that it reached the quarter-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, qualified for the final of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2014, attained number-one Test ranking in September 2016, before winning the ICC Champions Trophy this year.

Richardson, who has been a regular visitor to Pakistan, said: "The ICC wants to see regular international cricket being played safely in all its Member countries and the World XI playing Pakistan in Lahore next month is a step towards that for the PCB.

"The PCB's plans for the tour will include comprehensive security arrangements for the safety and security of the players, officials, media and spectators. As such, the ICC is fully supportive of these games. That said, all the stakeholders will remain vigilant and re-evaluate the situation if required," said Richardson.

The former Proteas glovesman is optimistic that it's a matter of time before full-time international cricket returns to Pakistan.

"We are optimistic that this will be the next step in a steady and safe return of international cricket to Pakistan."

World XI squad for Pakistan: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, George Bailey, Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliott, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.