In a historic match, World XI captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to field first, but his decision backfired as Pakistan posted a mammoth 197 for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Playing in Pakistan excites World XI players
The star of the show for the Men in Green was young Babar Azam, who scored 86 off just 52 balls with the help of 10 boundaries and two sixes.
He was well supported by opener Ahmad Shahzad (39 off 34), whereas veteran Shoaib Malik contributed with a quick-fire 38 off just 20 balls in the later stages of the innings.
For World XI, Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera claimed two, whereas pacer Morne Morkel, Ben Cutting and leg-spinner Imran Tahir picked one wicket each.
World XI series: Making history to make our future
In reply, World XI only managed to score 177-7, thanks to sublime bowling performance from pacer Sohail Khan and leg-spinner Shadab Khan.
Sohail finished his quota of four over with the figures of 2-28, whereas Shadab finished his four over with the figures of 2-33.
For visitors, captain Du Plessis (29), West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy (29 not out), Hashim Amla (26) and wicketkeeper batsman Tim Paine (25) made valuable contributions with the bat.
The second match of the series will be played tomorrow at the same venue.
So that's it everyone. It's all over in the first match of this historic series. We will join you again tomorrow. Till then, ciao.
WXI 177-7 (20 overs)
Thirteen and a wicket off the over.
OUT! Finally, a wicket for Hasan Ali. Thisara Perera departs after scoring 17.
SIX! Another one for Darren Sammy.
Hasan Ali to start his new over.
WXI 164-6 (19 overs)
Thirteen off the over. Good one for World XI.
SIX! Sammy hits one out of the park down the ground for a maximum.
FOUR! Important boundary for World XI.
Rumman Raees to start his final over the day.
WXI 151-6 (18 overs)
Just three off the over.
Hasan Ali to start his new over.
WXI 148-6 (17 overs)
Nine off the over and a wicket. Good one for Pakistan.
SLOWER BALL! @grantelliottnz (14) caught off Sohail Khan. WXI 145-6 (16.3), need 53 off 21https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Inside edge runs down to fine leg. @grantelliottnz off Sohail Khan. WXI need 55 off 23https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Sohail Khan to start his new over.
WXI 139-5 (16 overs)
Fifteen off the over. Great one for World XI.
FOUR number three! @PereraThisara on a roll against @rummanraees15. WXI 139-5 (16), need 59 off 24https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOURx2! Smacked by @PereraThisara towards long leg, long-on off @rummanraees15 https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Rumman Raees to start his new over.
WXI 124-5 (15 overs)
Fourteen off the over and a wicket.
STUMPED! @76Shadabkhan deceives @DavidMillerSA12 with a googly. Didn't come close to it! WXI 123-5 (14.5)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/LzXdMullhH
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
INTO THE STANDS! Two steps forward and @DavidMillerSA12 clears the boundaryhttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Clever from Grant Elliott.
Shadab Khan to start his new over.
WXI 110-4 (14 overs)
Just three runs and a wicket off the over.
OUT! Another wicket for Pakistan as Tim Paine departs.
Sohail Khan to start his new over.
WXI 107-3 (13 overs)
Seven off the over and a wicket. Good one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Swept past short fine leg by Tim Paine off @76Shadabkhan https://t.co/4U0nBAkQAD #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
World XI captain @faf1307 caught at midwicket off @76Shadabkhan. WXI 101-3 (12.3) https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/RMqmwwDb9h
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Shadab Khan to start his new over.
WXI 100-2 (12 overs)
Twenty two off the over. Brilliant batting.
FOURx2! Du Plessis turning it on. Outstanding batting.
SIX! @faf1307 hits one straight out of the park for a maximum https://t.co/wdaltDEHbp #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/GTfZNVICbI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Another one from Faf.
FOUR! Brilliant improvisation from World XI captain.
Hasan Ali to continue.
WXI 78-2 (11 overs)
Ten off the over. Good one for World XI.
SIX! Flighted and Tim Paine hits one out of the park for a maximum https://t.co/wdaltDEHbp #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/MUo7Si3USx
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Shadab Khan to continue.
WXI 68-2 (10 overs)
Eight off the over.
FOUR! @faf1307 comes down the track and hits one down the ground for a boundary https://t.co/wdaltDEHbp #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Imad to bowl his final over.
WXI 60-2 (9 overs)
Just two off the over. Impressive start for the leg-spinner.
Shadab Khan to start his first over.
WXI 58-2 (8 overs)
Just three off the over. Great bowling.
Imad Wasim to start his new over.
WXI 55-2 (7 overs)
Just seven off the over. Good one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Poor bowling and Tim Paine took full advantage of it.
Hasan Ali to continue.
WXI 48-2 (6 overs)
Nine runs and two wickets off the over. Good one Pakistan.
OUT! Another big one for @rummanraees15 as @amlahash departs after scoring 26. WXI 48-2 https://t.co/eXhWQbNbuP #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/1AfBxL46vA
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Slow ball and @amlahash picked it and hits it over mid-on for another boundary https://t.co/eXhWQbNbuP #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
OUT! @rummanraees15 gets a big one as @TamimOfficial28 departs. WXI 43-1 (5.2 overs) https://t.co/eXhWQbNbuP #CricektKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/axUPP7J2za
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Poor start by Rumman as Tamim hits another boundary.
Rumman Raees to start his first over.
WXI 39-0 (5 overs)
Ten off the over. Good one for World XI.
FOURx2: This time Hashim Amla showing his class. Back-to-back boundaries.
Hasan Ali to start his first over.
WXI 29-0 (4 overs)
Eleven off the over. Good one for World XI.
FOURx2: Tamim Iqbal is taking attack to Pakistan. Brilliant batting.
Sohail Khan to continue.
WXI 18-0 (3 overs)
Seven off the over.
SIX! It's World XI's first six of the innings.
Imad Wasim to continue.
WXI 11-0 (2 overs)
Seven off the over.
FOUR! Hashim Amla strikes one beautifully for the first boundary of the innings.
Sohail Khan to start his first over.
WXI 4-0 (1 over)
Just four off the over. Good one for Pakistan.
So it's Hashim Amla and Tamim Iqbal to open for World XI, whereas it's Imad Wasim to start for Pakistan.
So that's it from the first session. We will come back when World XI will come to chase this mammoth target.
PAK 197-4 (20 overs)
Twenty one runs and a wicket off the over. Brilliant one for Pakistan.
SIX! What a way to finish the innings. Brilliant stuff from the left-hander.
SIX! Another one. This time Imad Wasim. Great hit.
SIX and OUT! @realshoaibmalik (38 off 20) gives Pakistan the much-needed ending. PAK 182-5 (19.2)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/7Uf2gsiC5E
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Perera to start his final over.
PAK 176-4 (19 overs)
Fifteen off the over. Brilliant one for Pakistan.
FOURx3! @realshoaibmalik collecting boundaries from all over the field; fine leg, square on off and then square leghttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd pic.twitter.com/K0Z95B3Igc
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Ben Cutting to start his new over.
PAK 161-4 (18 overs)
Twelve runs and a wicket off the over.
OUT! @SarfarazA_54 edges a short ball off @PereraThisara to the keeper. PAK 161-4 (18)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Slapped through covers by @realshoaibmalik. Great time to take the initiative. PAK 160-3 (17.4)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/sPODXhoYxg
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
SIX! @realshoaibmalik goes boom over long-on. PAK 156-3 (17.3) https://t.co/4U0nBAkQAD #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Thisara Perera to start his new over.
PAK 149-3 (17 overs)
Just six off the over. Good one for World XI.
Morkel to start his final over.
PAK 143-3 (16 overs)
Ten off the over and a wicket.
OUT! @babarazam258 (86) misses the century, Imran Tahir bags first wicket in Pakistanhttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/aRNAbtu5OZ
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Imran Tahir to start his new over.
PAK 133-2 (15 overs)
Just three runs and a wicket off the over. Great one for World XI.
OUT! @iamAhmadshahzad (39 off 34) caught brilliantly by @darensammy88 off @Cuttsy31 https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Ben Cutting to start his new over.
PAK 130-1 (14 overs)
Thirteen off the over. Great one for Pakistan.
SIX! Dug out and placed over deep square leg. @babarazam258 off @darensammy88 https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Darren Sammy to continue.
PAK 117-1 (13 overs)
Eleven off the over. Another good one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Another one for Babar. He is on his way to score a century.
DROPPED! David Miller runs back, tries to cover enough distance, cups it, but drops it. @babarazam258 surviveshttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd pic.twitter.com/PPuwNO3KNZ
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Morne Morkel to start his new over.
PAK 106-1 (12 overs)
Eleven off the over. Good one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Another one for Babar. He is on fire.
FOUR! A welcome boundary for Ahmed Shahzad.
Darren Sammy to start his first over.
PAK 95-1 (11 overs)
Ten off the over. Good one for Pakistan.
SIX! Over the bowler's head, @babarazam258 slams one off Imran Tahir. PAK 95-1 (11)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/SQUq6DSmYn
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FIFTY! First fifty for @babarazam258 on home soil. WHAT A GREAT MOMENT for the youngster 👏👏👏https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/GwMPvB3qgI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Tahir to continue.
PAK 85-1 (10 overs)
Nine off the over.
FOUR! @babarazam258 (48) edges one, there was a short third man but he dives unsuccessfullyhttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Elliott to start his new over.
PAK 76-1 (9 overs)
Six off the over. Good one for World XI.
Tahir to continue.
PAK 70-1 (8 overs)
Ten off the over. Great one for Pakistan.
FOUR! @iamAhmadshahzad guides @grantelliottnz towards fine leghttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Grant Elliott to start his first over.
PAK 60-1 (7 overs)
Eleven off the over. Great one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Driven magnificently through covers by @babarazam258. GREAT TIMING!https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/obPtMI3fWx
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Ben Cuttin to continue.
PAK 49-1 (6 overs)
Nine off the over. Good one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Brilliant from Babar as he continues his charge on the opposition.
Imran Tahir to start his first over.
PAK 40-1 (5 overs)
Just six off the over.
Ben Cutting to start his first over of the day.
PAK 34-1 (4 overs)
Ten off the over. Good one for Pakistan.
FOUR! Driven towards midwicket by @iamAhmadshahzad. PAK 34-1 (4)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/hbf6DbVf0r
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Off the edge, flies past the keeper towards third man boundary. @babarazam258 accounts for ithttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/syWcqKPYft
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Perera to continue.
PAK 24-1 (3 overs)
Just three off the over. Good one for World XI
Morkel to continue.
PAK 21-1 (2 overs)
Nine off the over. Another good one for Pakistan.
FOURx2! @PereraThisara bowls two leggish deliveries, @babarazam258 guides both towards fine leghttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/N8iJdoHakJ
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Thisara Perera to start his first over.
PAK 12-1 (1 over)
What a fantastic beginning of the Independence Cup.
Twelve run and a wicket off the over.
FOUR! @babarazam258 announces his arrival on the pitch. PAK 12-1 (1 over)https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/YrjCtMiEwg
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
OUT! @FakharZamanLive edges one to first slip. His four-ball cameo ends. @amlahash cups ithttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/ZAcwKz6mC7
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! Second delivery, slapped through covers by Fakhar. WHAT A START! https://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
FOUR! First international delivery in Pakistan, inside edge and Fakhar gets a boundaryhttps://t.co/4U0nBACrZd #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/oZVlL3fzDb
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 12, 2017
Ahmed Shehzad and Fakhar Zaman open the innings for Pakistan. Morne Morkel has the ball in his hand for the first over.
Faheem Ashraf receives debut cap
Congratulations @iFaheemAshraf on your T20I debute #PAKvWXI #Cricke pic.twitter.com/UcDlY8l767
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 12, 2017
Weather and pitch report
Lahore has 49% humidity. As the time goes on, temperatures are going to get low. Meanwhile, the pitch is dry. Spinners will come into play. A score of 160-170 will be Pakistan's target.
Toss
Faf calls heads and it has landed just like he wanted. World XI will bowl first against Pakistan.
Bailey's take on Pakistan visit
George Bailey is looking forward to playing in Pakistan for the first time and hopes young Pakistanis are inspired by their heroes #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/GWFVxltGfC
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2017
Miller talks about World XI tour
World XI's @DavidMillerSA12 is hoping the #PAKvWXI series will be a huge boost towards the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/hps7sAy76Q
— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2017
Your match officials for the series
Umpires and referee for Azadi Cup 2017 #PAKvWXI #CricketKiHalalala pic.twitter.com/17kodqlJnP
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017
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