Faf du Plessis to lead World XI in Pakistan

Furthermore, the names of 14 members of the squad who will tour Pakistan next month have been confirmed by the PCB. The team consists of five South African cricketers, that is David Miller, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, and Hashim Amla other than du Plessis. Three Australian players - Ben Cutting, George Bailey, and Tim Paine - will also be a part of the team.

"I am honored to have been appointed as the captain of such a diverse, attractive and well-balanced side. Like most of the players, I look forward to my maiden tour of Lahore and play my part in the safe and gradual resumption of international cricket in Pakistan," du Plessis said after being selected to lead the side. 

Pakistan has been isolated from the international scene since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 and have been forced to play their ‘home’ games in the UAE. But in the wake of the historic series, PCB chairman Najam Sethi hopes that the upcoming World XI series will prove to be a watershed moment in their history. PCB have arranged ‘Presidential level security’ for the players throughout the tour. 

"All the members of the squad have complete faith in the assessment and judgment of the security experts who have assured that there will be no compromise on the safety and security of all those involved in the series. As professionals, we are being paid to play in the series but the bottom line is that if we don't feel safe, no amount of money can get us there. In this background, we will land in Lahore with nothing except cricket on our minds,” said South African Skipper.