In a massive development, ICC planning to send World XI to Pakistan for T20 series

In the wake of the successful staging of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to send a World XI to Pakistan for a four-match T20 series. The endeavour is to bring back top-level cricket to the country after a eight-year break.

According to a report in The Guardian, the series - to be called The Independence Cup to mark the 70th anniversary of partition - will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on September 22, 23, 28 and 29 this year. Which foreign players will be participating in the tournament is still not established. 

"The desire is to give the cricket-starved Pakistani supporters the chance to see some of the world’s finest players in live action," said Giles Clarke, the president of the England and Wales Cricket Board, who also heads the ICC’s Pakistan Task Force that has been looking at ways to bring back international cricket to the country.

"The world of cricket needs to help Pakistan, who cannot continue to play their home fixtures overseas. The youth need inspiring, and the national teams need far more cricket played in familiar terrain. Furthermore, the terrorists cannot win and cricket must not give up on Pakistan.”

Members of the World XI will assemble in Dubai on September 17, before flying to Lahore. Similar the PSL final, the security plan will include a military-style operation - the city being in lock-down and bulletproof team buses being escorted by elite troops.