LAHORE, Pakistan, CMC — Darren Sammy and Samuel Badree were named in the 14-member World XI to contest three Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan next month here.
All-rounder Sammy, the former West Indies captain, and leg-spinner Badree will be part of the star-studded squad comprising players from seven Test-playing nations for the series of matches to be called the Independence Cup on September 12, 13 and 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
South Africa’s Faf du Plessis however, will be the captain of the World XI ahead of Sammy, who led West Indies to two ICC World T20 titles in 2012 and 2016.
Badree was the No.1 bowler in the format at one stage and will be part of an attack that also includes Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born South Africa leg-spinner.
The Independence Cup has been organised in a strong bid by the Pakistan Cricket Board to see the safe and gradual resumption of international matches in the country.
The International Cricket Council, the sport’s world governing body, suspended international matches in Pakistan, following an armed attack on a Sri Lanka team bus that injured several players eight years ago.
A one-off T20I between the Pakistanis and Sri Lankans is under consideration following the Independence Cup, as well as a series of three T20Is against West Indies in November.
World XI Squad:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Samuel Badree, George Bailey, Paul Collingwood, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliott, Tamim Iqbal, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Imran Tahir
