Cricket: Talks of World XI’s visit resurface

Jayasuriya down to lead visitors for two matches in Karachi.

KARACHI: The tour has been postponed twice already but the organisers are sure that they it will be third time lucky for the proposed World XI matches against a Pakistan Stars XI that are scheduled to take place in Karachi later this month.

The matches had to be delayed twice in May and August but Sindh Sports Minister and prominent cricket organiser Mohammad Ali Shah, who has a hand in planning these matches, said that the tour was confirmed with arrangements on track.

“The team will arrive on October 18,” Shah told The Express Tribune. “The matches will be played on October 20 and 21 at the National Stadium in Karachi.”

Shah added arrangements were on to hold the matches in befitting manner and a high-level security meeting was to be held at the Governor House in Karachi on Wednesday.

Jayasuriya to lead World XI 

The touring side, which mainly consists of West Indies and South African cricketers, will be led by former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya.

The team also includes Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Neil McKenzie. However, there will not be any current team player from the West Indies but Alvin Kalicharan will be the team coach with former Pakistan Test cricketer Shoaib Mohammad acting as his deputy.

Meanwhile, according to Shah, the Pakistan Star XI will be captained by Shahid Afridi and will also include former captain Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Nasir Jamshed Abdul Razzaq and Sarfraz Ahmed. Former captain Rashid Latif will be approached to take over as team coach, according to Shah.

The provincial sports minister added the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was on board and supported the World XI tour.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2012.