ISLAMABAD:  There is good news for game lovers as they would see international players in back-to-back action after both World XIs of cricket and hockey have planned to visitPakistan for matches with the national teams.A 14-member World XI led by South Africa’s Faf du Plessiswould be touring Pakistan next month to play three Twenty20s for theIndependence Cup against national cricket team at Gaddafi Stadium inLahore on September 12, 13 and 15.Talking to APP, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) SecretaryShahbaz Ahmed Sr. said the hockey World XI have agreed to visitPakistan in November. “The World XI will include Olympic and Worldchampions teams players,” he said.He said World XI would play two matches in Pakistan, one inLahore on November 21 and one in Karachi on November 22.Responding to a question, he said names of World XI playershad not been finalized yet.Speaking about Pakistan Hockey League (PHL), Shahbaz said ameeting had been called on Saturday in Lahore to discuss about thedevelopments of the league.

“Hopefully the matters regarding theleague will be finalized after Eid-ul-Azha,” he said.He said PHF was doing all-out efforts for revival of the national game. “PHF has been in discussions with several departments including Fauji Foundation, Pakistan Television (PTV), ZaraiTaraqiati Bank Ltd. (ZTBL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited(SNGPL) in a bid to provide jobs to national players,” he said.“Currently Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah would providejobs to eighteen hockey players and two officials,” he claimed.