LAHORE – Independence Cup trophy for Pakistan Vs World series was unveiled on Monday in Gaddafi Stadium after Faf du Plessis led World XI arrived in Lahore.
A World XI squad comprising 13 players from seven top cricket-playing nations landed in Lahore early Monday amid massive security, with Pakistan hoping the tour will end years of international isolation.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi and other officials were present at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore to welcome the World XI squad.
Pakistan has not hosted top-level international cricket -- barring five limited over matches against minnows Zimbabwe in 2015 -- since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists in March 2009, killing eight people and injuring seven players and staff.
The World XI, which will play three Twenty20 internationals from Tuesday, arrived around 2:00am Pakistan time (2100 GMT) with air surveillance and dozens of police vans in attendance as the team was whisked to their hotel.
Both the hotel and stadium will be cordoned off with 9,000 police and paramilitary staff deployed during the next five days.