All geared up for match against World XI tomorrow, says Sarfraz

LAHORE: Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed on Monday said his boys were all geared up for the first match against World XI on Tuesday in Lahore, ARY News reported.

“World XI has the finest players from around the globe. It would be a tough fight as world famous players including South African captain Faf du Plessis are featuring in the opposite team,” he said talking to media after unveiling ceremony of the Independence Day Cup trophy at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The international players have arrived here a day before the much-anticipated three-match Twenty20 (T20) series against Pakistan gets underway.

Pakistan skipper said his team would put a good show as after a great deal of time they were getting a chance to play an international team on home ground and we would try our best to give them a tough time.

Read More: Star-studded World XI side lands in Lahore

“Throughout my career I have not seen better facilities than Pakistan. I am thankful to all the cricket boards including South Africa, Bangladesh, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka (for their cooperation),” he said.

To a query, he said though all of the visiting players were of top class but South Africa’s Hashim Amla was his favourite amongst them.

Muhammad Amir would not be available for the prestigious three-match T20 series for he is with his family in England and expecting a child.

“Amir is not available but we have his alternative and I am not relying on one player. It would be a team work and we would try to emerge successful. Our confidence has much boosted after Champions Trophy victory,” he said.

Read More: Shoaib Malik optimistic to get victory against World XI

To a query, Sarfraz said he was grown up playing in Karachi so obviously it was a treat to play there. He expressed hope that soon his home city would host the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.

“International cricket will return following successful staging of Independence Cup,” he said.

Independence Cup 2017 T20I series #PAKvWXI trophy unveiling ceremony 🏆 #cricketkihalalala pic.twitter.com/sOb0hx14xb

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017

Pakistan:

Sarfraz Ahmed(c), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf , Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan, Sohail Khan

World XI:

David Miller, Morne Morkel, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir, Darren Sammy, Hashim Amla, Grant Elliott, Samuel Badree, George Bailey, Tamim Iqbal, Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, Faf du Plessis(c)

Fixtures

1st T20I, September 12, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore  at 8:30PM

2nd T20I, September 13, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore at 8:00PM

3rd T20I,  September 15, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore at 8:00PM