Former Pakistani players Rameez Raja and Shoaib Malik on Friday thanked the ICC World XI players for bringing the international cricket back to the subcontinent after a long struggle.
ICC World XI represented by seven countries have started preparations for the tour of Pakistan with a two-day camp at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium. The Faf du Plessis-led side will land in Pakistan on September 11.
“It is a great occasion for the home fans. We have taken baby steps with this first initiative and we know that giant steps for international cricket in Pakistan will obviously follow after this historic ICC World XI visit,” former Pakistani skipper Raja said in a statement.
Thanking the international cricketers, the 55-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator added: “I would like to thank the ICC World XI players who have agreed for this tour. We are a very strong cricket fraternity and I am really happy that the game has won again.”
The hosts, Pakistan, have also begun preparations for the historic tour at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Supporting the tournament, Malik said: “It is a great gesture. I am grateful to the World XI team who are helping to bring back international cricket to the country.”
The series, starting September 12, will be broadcast live on DSPORT.