Lahore (September 12, 2017): Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is all set to witness history as the Green Shirts take on the World XI for a three-match T20 series starting from today.
The World XI, starring cricket greats from seven different countries, arrived in Pakistan early Monday to a rousing welcome from the cricket-crazy nation, as the eight-year-long wait for high-profile cricket to return home finally ends this week.
The Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) has already invited the President, Prime Minister and Army Chief for watching the T20 match.
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On this occasion, strict security arrangements have been made as streets and shops nearby stadium also sealed, whereas Police, Army and Rangers contingent have been deployed beside Commandos were also included in safety arrangements.
Pakistani cricket spectators dream turned into reality after eight years as they would enjoy a lot from T20 matches in Lahore.
The Award-winning elite panel umpire Aleem Dar will supervise the match after a long-time at home ground.
Umpires and referee for Azadi Cup 2017 #PAKvWXI #CricketKiHalalala pic.twitter.com/17kodqlJnP
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
In addition, West Indies’ Richie Richardson will be the match referee.
All tickets of first match have been sold whereas long-queue of spectators for getting tickets of next two matches being witnessed.
City Traffic Plan
The City Traffic Police (CTP) has made a comprehensive traffic plan for smooth traffic flow during Independence Cup matches between Pakistan and World XI starting at the Gaddafi Stadium from Tuesday.
As per the plan, CTO Gujranwala, CTO Multan, SP Traffic Sadar Division, SP Traffic City Division, SP Traffic Sialkot, seven SPs, 20 DSPs, 67 inspectors, 162 patrolling officers and1,268 traffic wardens headed by CTO Lahore Rai Ijaz would perform duties to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Apart from this, five traffic squads have also been formed to control any traffic mess related situation after quickly reaching rush places whereas five breakdown and 23 fork lifters have also been deputed to clear the traffic.
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A control room at Safe City Authority, a monitoring room at Qurban Lines and two traffic awareness camps have also been set up to monitor traffic situation.
The traffic would be opened on both sides of The Mall, Jail Road and Canal Road.
Walton Road can be used for traffic coming from Kahna, Kot Lakhpath to Mughalpura and Cantt.
Firdous Market, Hussain Chowk, M. Alam Road, Mini Market, Main Boulevard, Siddique Trade Center would remain open for traffic.
Fowara No 1 Siddiq Trade Center, Bridge Canal Jail Road to Qartaba Chowk would be cleared for general traffic, however Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Canal Road and Wahdat road would remain open for the traffic coming from Kahna, Ferozpur Road to Ichhra.
Gaddafi Stadium has designated special places for parking.
The CTO said entry of auto and motorcycle rickshaws have been restricted in cricket stadium areas.
Citizens can contact at CTP helpline 15 to get information about alternative traffic routes.
The CTP Radio FM 88.6 would keep citizens informed about the traffic situation, he added.
Complete Schedule of Series
Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) has announced a complete schedule of Pakistan and World XI series.
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The three T20 matches will be playing on September 12, 13 and 15. All matches will kick-off at 7pm in the evening and conclude at 10:30pm in the evening.
Sarfraz Press Conference
Earlier, the captain of Pakistan cricket team Sarfraz Ahmed vowed that Pakistan will show best performance and people watch high standards cricket.
“We are playing in Pakistan after the gape of several years but our confidence level is high and will give tough time to World XI,” Sarfraz Said while addressing press conference in Lahore after the inaugural of Azadi Cup trophy.
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“World XI arrival has restored cricket in the country and it is really an emotional moment ,” he said adding that after the winning the champions trophy the moral and confidence of the team very high and will give them great fight.
“It is vital series for us and every match of the series has the same importance like other international matches,” green shirts skipper said.
He said that some matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) will also be played in Karachi.
While answering a question about Mohammad Amir’s absence, Sarfraz said that Pakistan has the bench strength to replace Mohammad Amir.
Sarfraz said that every series is important for his team. “After Champions Trophy success, expectations from us are high and we will try to win every match,” Sarfraz maintained.
National cricket team’s captain said that cricket’s restoration in Pakistan is great sign for country’s cricket. “I hope that matches will be played in cities other than Lahore, in the future,” he said.
Sarfraz said that if Indian players had also toured Pakistan he would have been happier. “One day the whole Indian team will visit Pakistan,” he said. Sarfraz said that the World XI tour is a moment of great joy and pride for all of us.
He also said that the T20 squad consisted of mostly young players and the team is trying to form a good team of young players who can find their place in ODIs and Test series.
“We will try to play good cricket to maintain our rankings in the T20s.”
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The skipper also expressed hope that soon matches will also be played in his hometown Karachi.
Regarding the team’s strategy, the skipper said the team was paying attention to all three fields of bowling, batting and fielding.
Expressing excitement over the tournament, the Pakistan team captain said World XI is a very good team and he expects exciting cricket to be played.
Independence Cup 2017 T20I series #PAKvWXI trophy unveiling ceremony 🏆 #cricketkihalalala pic.twitter.com/sOb0hx14xb
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
When asked who his favourite player was, Sarfraz said just like many others, he too liked South African player Hashim Amla.
Before Sarfraz media talk, the trophy for the upcoming Independence Cup, to be played between Pakistan and World XI, was unveiled on Monday.
ICC Director Giles Clark, Najam Sethi Press Conference
On the other hand, International Cricket Council director Giles Clarke on Monday paid tribute to the efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the passion of the cricket-loving nation in bringing international cricket back home.
Addressing a joint press conference with PCB chairman Najam Sethi in Lahore today, Clarke said he was happy to see international cricketing action return to Pakistan.
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“It’s been a long road and I’m very happy to see international cricket finally return here,” the ICC director said, pointing out that Lahore’s successful hosting of the PSL final earlier this year was crucial in making the World XI tour possible.
“Security teams from different countries were present here to review security arrangements for the PSL final, and it was [on that basis that] this World XI tour became possible,” said Clarke.
The director also lauded the efforts of World XI coach Andy Flower in making the tour possible.
Chairman PCB, Mr Najam Sethi and ICC Director, Mr. Giles Clarke press conference in Lahore #PAKvWXI #cricketkihalalala pic.twitter.com/urQ7msNSmh
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
PCB chairman Najam Sethi thanked the ICC for giving a go-ahead to the World XI tour and said the successful hosting of the PSL final opened the doors to international cricket in Pakistan.
“We welcome you all to Pakistan, and we thank you for making this tour possible,” Sethi said, hailing all those who played a role in restoring global cricket action on Pakistani soil.
“A lot more international cricket can now be expected here next year,” he added.
The Independence Cup matches will be played on September 12, 13 and 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Team Arrived
Earlier, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World XI players arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport amid tight security, a day before the much-anticipated three-match T20 series against Pakistan kicks off at Gaddafi Stadium.
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The star-studded team, led by South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, was welcomed by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi at the airport, before being transported to its hotel at Mall Road.
Later during a news conference, Faf du Plessis said the historic tour to Pakistan presents a rare opportunity for the players to be a part of something bigger than just cricket.
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“When I sit down with my family some day and we talk about this… it’s something I would be glad to have been a part of,” said du Plessis, as he expressed his excitement for participating in the historic series.
Andy Flower had said he was happy and proud to be coach of the World XI team.
Coach of World XI Andy Flower presenting the playing shirt to captain @faf1307 #PAKvWXI #cricketkihalalala pic.twitter.com/WwHYWDNOZ1
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
“We are celebrating the return of international cricket to Pakistan. This brave nation had to suffer the absence of international cricket for a very long time,” Flower said.
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The former Zimbabwean cricketer pointed out that Pakistan team had achieved a lot of significant milestones in the eight years that it had suffered isolation in the cricket world.
“Pakistan helped Zimbabwean cricket a lot in the 1990s,” he said.
The coach expressed hope the world will get to see some great cricket action this week.
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