Karachi, Sep 12: In what could be the beginning of international cricket in strife-torn Pakistan, a World XI side landed in Lahore in the wee hours on Monday for a T20 series against the hosts. The short tour includes three T20 internationals scheduled for September 12, 13 and 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The ICC has also sent its match referee, Richie Richardson, and Giles Clarke, an influential member of the world body, to supervise the series. The tour is going to cost the Pakistan Cricket Board a whooping $3 million, including a payment of around $100,000 to each of the 14 players from South Africa, Australia, England, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
“It’s just a start for the people of Pakistan who are desperate to see international cricket in the country. We have Sri Lanka and West Indies lined up in October and November,” PCB chairman Najam Sethi said. ICC security experts have visited Lahore twice in recent times to clear the tour. Meanwhile, Pakistan could be without their top paceman Mohammad Amir for the series as he wants to be with his wife for the birth of their child.
Source Tribune India
