Pakistan to host World XI for a T20 series in September

Karachi, Aug 21: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Pakistan cricket team will play a T20 series against World XI in September.

Putting an end to all speculations, new PCB chairman, Najam Sethi confirmed on Monday (August 21) that a three-match Twenty20 series between Pakistan and World XI will be held in Lahore, starting September 10.

A 15-member squad led by former Zimbabwe great Andy Flower will take part in a seven-day long camp in Dubai before heading to Lahore for the series.

The board has also confirmed that Lahore will host an international match as West Indies will also tour the nation for a three-match T20I series in Lahore in late November.

"CWI and PCB are advancing discussions that will see the West Indies play three T20I matches in Lahore in late November," read the statement.

"In September, October and November, we'll have the World XI, we'll have Sri Lankan team and then the West Indies (come play in Pakistan).

"We just hope that the security we've promised, we'll keep it up. Sri Lanka have said they'll come after the World XI, provided the security is fine. It will be fine, Punjab government has indicated that the preparation are in full swing. At the end of this month, ICC's security team is also arriving. So far all signals are good," Sethi added. He also stated that talks with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) were still on over the number of games to be played.

While the Punjab Government approved 'Presidential level security' for the weeklong World XI series in Lahore, Sethi expressed his desire to host a few games in the other cities too, notably Karachi.

"I have the desire to take some games out of Lahore and host them in Karachi, but everyone I speak to reject that idea. They tell me that we've succeeded in hosting something well in Lahore (PSL 2 final) so keep that going. First host the PSL in Karachi, then we will come there."

Pakistan Cricket Board haven't hosted any high-profile international cricket ever since the terror attack on Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009. Almost every Test playing nation refused to play in Pakistan after that. The country, a co-host of World Cup 2011, had to lose its share of matches after participating nations expressed security concerns and refused to travel there.