World XI leaves Pakistan after winning hearts of millions of fans
Shares
LAHORE – After winning the hearts of millions of Pakistanis, the star-studded World XI team led by South African captain Faf du Plessis has on Saturday left for Dubai.
The team and its one official were taken to the airport amid tight security.
From Dubai, the World XI players will depart for their respective countries.
Pakistan beat the touring World XI on Friday by 33 runs in the final Twenty20 fixture in Lahore to win the three match series 2-1 and thrill home fans excited by the return of international cricket.
Buoyed by a 102-run second-wicket stand between opener Ahmed Shehzad and batsman Babar Azam, Pakistan reached 183 for four in their 20 overs before restricting the star-studded World XI team led by South African captain Faf du Plessis to 150 for eight.
Pakistan has only hosted one international series since militants attacked a bus transporting the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. Six players were wounded in the attack, in which two civilians and six security officers lost their lives.
Backed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the series has been heralded as the return of international cricket.
“We are over the moon. The people of Pakistan are delirious. We think that we have opened the door for the return of international cricket,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi said.
Sri Lanka have agreed to visit Pakistan for one match at the end of September and West Indies are planning to send a team later in the year, Sethi said.
Gracious in defeat, Du Plessis praised the Pakistan team and said he would welcome more opportunities to tour the country. “We were talking about it and saying this needs to happen every year,” he said.
