ICC comes out in support of Pakistan cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the plan to send an ICC World XI team in Pakistan this year for a three-match T20 series against in international cricket starving country.

The plan, now backed by ICC board, is aimed to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.

“Plans for a World XI to play in Pakistan later this year continue to be developed as the ICC Board confirmed its support of Pakistan’s efforts to bring international cricket back to Pakistan,” said ICC in a statement after its board meeting in London.

“In light of this the Board agreed to support the staging of a Pakistan v World XI event in Lahore later this year, a three-game series of T20 games that will be accorded international status,” it said.

The idea of sending a world XI team to Pakistan was presented by Giles Clarke, the head of Pakistan’s Task Force Team in ICC after successful conduct of PSL final in Lahore earlier this year.

It is pertinent to mention here that, after Pakistan's stunning 180-run win over arch-rivals India in the final of the Champions Trophy at The Oval last week, coach Mickey Arthur said he hoped the visit of the World XI would go ahead.

No major test team has toured Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009, the ice was, however, broken in 2015 when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan to play three ODIs and two T20Is in Lahore.