Dhaka, August 25 (TNS): Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal expressed delight after getting selected in the World XI side for a three-match T20I series against Pakistan next month, Bengali media reported.
“It’s an ICC approved tournament. It will have international status. And I think to represent World XI is an honor for me. I feel proud. I believe 10 cricketing nations are like family. Someone has to step up and help Pakistan for returning cricket there. I believe they have arranged a nice tournament out there,” Tamim told the media in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
“If they can arrange the tournament successfully then more teams will tour Pakistan for cricket in future. It has to start now or sometime. We have taken the first step, I think it’s a fantastic initiative. It could have been better if such attempt was taken before,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan announced the return of international cricket to its soil, with three separate sides, including the World XI team, scheduled to visit after years of isolation over security concern.
A World XI tour kicks off next month, followed by a short visit by Sri Lanka for a T20I in October, then a T20I series against the West Indies a month later.
The tours are seen as a big step towards Pakistan once again hosting major international outfits after militants targeted the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, killing eight people and wounding at least seven players.
Since the attacks Pakistan have only hosted a limited-over series against Zimbabwe in 2015 while Bangladesh, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland turned down offers over security fears.
Pakistan have also been forced to play their cricket in the UAE for the past eight years including two editions of the PSL T20.
But security has dramatically improved across Pakistan in the last two years, signalling hope for the slow revival of international sport in the country.
World XI squad
Faf du Plessis (capt, SA), Hashim Amla (SA), Samuel Badree (WI), George Bailey (Aus), Paul Collingwood (Eng), Ben Cutting (Aus), Grant Elliott (NZ), Tamim Iqbal (Ban), David Miller (SA), Morne Morkel (SA), Tim Paine (Aus), Thisara Perera (SL), Imran Tahir (SA) and Darren Sammy (WI)
