The 2017 Independence Cup was a cricket tournament that took place in Lahore, Pakistan.[1][2] It was contested between a World XI team and Pakistan across three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.[3] Pakistan won the series 2–1.[4]
South Africa's Faf du Plessis captained the World XI team,[5] with Sarfaraz Ahmed leading Pakistan.[6] Ten of the players in the Pakistan squad had not previously played in an international match at home.[7] The World XI side arrived in Lahore a day before the first fixture under high security.[8] The cup was named in commemoration of Pakistan's 70th year of independence.[9]
The PCB spent an estimated $3 million to host the three matches, with players on the World XI team being paid approximately $100,000 each.[13] The ICC contributed more than $1 million towards security costs.[13] While attendance for the first two matches were as high as 90%, this was down on the crowd numbers for the final of the 2017 Pakistan Super League.[14] Higher ticket pricing was to blame for the drop in attendance, with some tickets being given to local schools as a result.[14] The ICC and PCB looked at the possibility for further World XI tours to Pakistan in the next two years, with the priority for more Full Member sides to tour.[15]
Following the conclusion of the series, Faf du Plessis said how much it meant for the people of Pakistan and that it hopefully will bring cricket back to the country.[16] Sarfraz Ahmed said that he was thankful to the World XI team and that "I expect these players to return back to Pakistan with full squads to play a full Test series".[17] The ICC congratulated Pakistan for hosting the tournament, with the aim to get bilateral international cricket returning to Pakistan.[18] The following month, the Sri Lanka cricket team played a T20I in Lahore against Pakistan.[19]
This was the first defeat for Pakistan in a T20I in Pakistan.[22]
Shoaib Malik (Pak) became the highest run-scorer in T20Is for Pakistan.[23]
3rd T20I
World XI won the toss and elected to field.
References
^"Du Plessis to captain World XI against Pakistan in Independence Cup". Pakistan Cricket Board. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
^Farooq, Umar (21 August 2017). "Pakistan to host World XI series in September". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
^"PCB confirm World XI series". Cricket Australia. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
^Rasool, Danyal (15 September 2017). "Pakistan mark cricket's return to the country with series win". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
^"Du Plessis to captain World XI against Pakistan in Independence Cup". International Cricket Council. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
^"Sohail Khan back in Pakistan squad for World XI series". ESPN Cricinfo. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
^Arshad, Mazher (11 September 2017). "Pakistani pride: 10 players set for home debut". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
^Farooq, Umar (11 September 2017). "World XI series a 'huge leap' for Pakistan – Najam Sethi". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
^Martin, Ali (6 March 2017). "Pakistan to host international cricket again with T20 series versus World XI". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
^"ICC to send match official to Pakistan for first time since 2009". ESPN Cricinfo. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
^"PCB announces Umpires for Independence Cup". Pakistan Cricket Board. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
^"Brighto Paints Presents UBL Independence Cup 2017". Pakistan Cricket Board. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
^ a bSamiuddin, Osman (11 September 2017). "PCB to spend US$ 2.5–3 million for Independence Cup". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
^ a b"Mistake to set such high ticket prices – Najam Sethi". ESPN Cricinfo. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
^Samiuddin, Osman (13 September 2017). "ICC plans to bring more Full Members to Pakistan in coming years". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
^Rasool, Danyal (16 September 2017). "'We've been extremely well looked after' – Flower". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
^Farooq, Umar (16 September 2017). "Sarfraz expresses gratitude to visiting World XI team". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
^"ICC congratulates Pakistan for successful staging of Independence Cup". International Cricket Council. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
^"Pakistan cruise to win on Lahore's big night". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
^"16-member Pakistan's team announced for Independence Cup (3 T-20I) against World XI". Pakistan Cricket Board. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
^Rasool, Danyal (24 August 2017). "Faf du Plessis named captain of World XI to travel to Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
^Rasool, Danyal (13 September 2017). "Amla, Thisara star in World XI's last-over win". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^Lakhani, Faizan (13 September 2017). "Shoaib Malik becomes Pakistan's highest T20 scorer". Geo News. Retrieved 13 September 2017.