Pakistan rejoices as international cricket returns home

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Pakistan is hosting a World XI cricket team for three T20 matches. The first game was played on Tuesday, which the host nation won, sealing a 20-run victory over the star-studded World XI in Gaddafi Stadium in the eastern city of Lahore.

South African captain Faf du Plessis is leading World XI batting line-up.

The sporting event is a unique opportunity for the country's young population as this is only the second time they will see high-profile matches on home soil.

The long wait is over

With this series, international cricket has returned to the country after eight years, when militants ambushed a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009.

Six players were injured while two civilians and six security officials were killed in the attack. The country has hosted only one foreign team since then.

World XI captain Faf du Plessis plays a shot during the first T20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 2017. /AFP Photo

The Pakistan team has been playing its home series abroad as cricketing nations refused to visit the country on security grounds, putting an additional financial burden on the country’s cricket board.

Tuesday's match was played under a large security presence of roughly 9,000 security personnel.

The team’s hotels and stadium were cordoned off.

The win-win result

World XI skipper Faf du Plessis sent Pakistan into bat with a score of 197-5. Babar Azam helped his team by hitting a quick 52-ball 86. With ten boundaries and two sixes, it was his career best T20 score.

The World XI opened well with Tamim Iqbal hitting 18 with three boundaries and Hashim Amla scoring three boundaries and a six in his 17-ball 26.

Rumman Raees dismissed both in the same over to put the brakes on their innings.

Skipper Faf du Plessis scored four boundaries and a six while Darren Sammy smashed three sixes - both scoring 29 - but were unable to see their team through.

Garnering praise

"I needed to get a 50 or 60 for us to win," du Plessis said, adding that it was "great to play in front of the Pakistani fans."

"It was a historic occasion, and I thank the crowd for coming in good numbers," said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

"I saw international players for the first time in my life ... It was fascinating watching quality cricket," student Omar Khan told the Reuters news agency.

Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam (R) receives man of the match award from Director of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Giles Clarke (L) during a ceremony at the end of the first T20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 2017. /AFP Photo

Pakistan expects the series will showcase an improved security situation as it seeks to entice other foreign opponents to come to the country.

Attacks in Lahore have become less prevalent in recent years, but security remains high as Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups still pose a threat. A Taliban suicide bomber killed 25 people in July in an attack that appeared to target Lahore’s police force.

Cricket board chairman Najam Sethi told Reuters it was a great opportunity to showcase Pakistan, adding these matches could revive cricket in the country.

Other cricket boards will closely watch the matches and, depending on how things pan out, Pakistan hopes to host Sri Lanka and West Indies later in the year, said Sethi.

The streets of Lahore were swathed in posters of the visiting players and advertisements for the matches.

The second game will be played on Wednesday and the third on Friday, both in Lahore. Du Plessis said it would be a "quick turnaround, I don't think I've ever played two T20s in two days".

High profile foreign players such as World Cup winner Darren Sammy participated in the domestic Pakistan Super League final in March. The event raised hopes for the return of international cricket.

(With input from news agencies)