In pictures: World XI level Independence Cup with nail-biting win

Hashim Amla's opening stand and Thisara Perera's hard knocks level series 1-1, setting the stage for a thrilling final.
Dawn.com Published September 14, 2017

Player of the Match Thisara Perera smashed the winning six for a resurgent World XI side as they conquered the 175-run target with seven wickets to spare in the nail-biting second Twenty20 international (T20I) of the Independence Cup at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

After having lost the first match of the series by 20 runs, the star-studded international side came back strong in the second, keeping fans in the ground and across the globe on their feet till the last over.

While opener Hashim Amla set the stage for the World XI innings, it was Perera's hard knocks at the end that helped them take the game away.

Babar Azam remained Pakistan's highest scorer for the second match in a row, while Shoaib Malik's pinch-hitting took them to a respectable total of 174 runs. Malik also became Pakistan's highest run scorer in the T20I format today.

World XI batsman Hashim Amla, greets his partner Thisara Perera on World XI's victory in the second T20I match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. — AP
World XI batsman Hashim Amla, greets his partner Thisara Perera on World XI's victory in the second T20I match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. — AP

World XI batsman Hashim Amla acknowledges his 50. ─ AP
World XI batsman Hashim Amla acknowledges his 50. ─ AP

World XI batsmen Hashim Amla (2R) and Thisara Perera (C) shake hands with Pakistani cricketers at the end of the second match. —AFP
World XI batsmen Hashim Amla (2R) and Thisara Perera (C) shake hands with Pakistani cricketers at the end of the second match. —AFP

Pakistan cricket fans praise World XI players. ─ AP
Pakistan cricket fans praise World XI players. ─ AP

Pakistani spinner Imad Wasim (L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of World XI batsman Tim Paine (R). — AFP
Pakistani spinner Imad Wasim (L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of World XI batsman Tim Paine (R). — AFP

World XI captain Faf du Plessis plays a shot as Pakistani captain and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmad looks on. — AFP
World XI captain Faf du Plessis plays a shot as Pakistani captain and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmad looks on. — AFP

World XI batsmen Hashim Amla (R) and Tamim Iqbal (C) run between the wicket as bowler Usman Shinwari looks on. ─ AFP
World XI batsmen Hashim Amla (R) and Tamim Iqbal (C) run between the wicket as bowler Usman Shinwari looks on. ─ AFP

Pakistani spinner Imad Wasim delivers the ball. — AFP
Pakistani spinner Imad Wasim delivers the ball. — AFP

World XI cricketers celebrate after dismissing Pakistani batsman Ahmed Shahzad. — AFP
World XI cricketers celebrate after dismissing Pakistani batsman Ahmed Shahzad. — AFP

Pakistani batsman Shoaib Malik plays a shot during the second T20 International match between the World XI and Pakistan. — AFP
Pakistani batsman Shoaib Malik plays a shot during the second T20 International match between the World XI and Pakistan. — AFP

Pakistani batsmen Babar Azam (L) and Ahmed Shehzad run between the wickets. The pair scored a 50-plus run partnership for the second time in the series. — AFP
Pakistani batsmen Babar Azam (L) and Ahmed Shehzad run between the wickets. The pair scored a 50-plus run partnership for the second time in the series. — AFP

Security personnel search spectators arriving at Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the match. ─ AP
Security personnel search spectators arriving at Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the match. ─ AP

Spectators hold placards during the second T20 International match between the World XI and Pakistan. — AFP
Spectators hold placards during the second T20 International match between the World XI and Pakistan. — AFP

A spectator arrives at Gaddafi Stadium before the start of the second match between the World XI and Pakistan. ─ AFP
A spectator arrives at Gaddafi Stadium before the start of the second match between the World XI and Pakistan. ─ AFP

A Pakistan Army helicopter patrols over Gaddafi Stadium before the start of the second T20I. — AFP
A Pakistan Army helicopter patrols over Gaddafi Stadium before the start of the second T20I. — AFP

Pakistani and World XI cricketers pose for a photograph, with PCB Chairman Najam Sethi and ICC Director Giles Clarke in the centre, at Gaddafi Stadium before the match. —AFP
Pakistani and World XI cricketers pose for a photograph, with PCB Chairman Najam Sethi and ICC Director Giles Clarke in the centre, at Gaddafi Stadium before the match. —AFP

Comments (30) Closed
shafqat a mir
Sep 14, 2017 01:26am
what a way to go, keep up good guys, and see you in LONDON next year and also in world cup in 2019, all the best from USA
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salman waheed
Sep 14, 2017 01:27am
wonderful sight to see cricket in Pakistan. Thanks all players who came to Pak.
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Khaleesi
Sep 14, 2017 02:09am
Loved the last picture. Rival players standing with each other instead of remaining within their team
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Khalid
Sep 14, 2017 02:17am
What a beautiful and satisfying view.. Hoping to seeing more of these matches.
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AXH
Sep 14, 2017 02:56am
Brilliant win by Word XI. Amla and Perera were sensational. Perera is a very talented and brutal power hitter.
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ajay
Sep 14, 2017 02:59am
nice pics,.. nice to see cricket is back in Pakistan...best of luck
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Ali
Sep 14, 2017 04:21am
Bravo. Superb. Splendid. Sensational. Excellent. Awesome. "Shabash".
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SALEEM
Sep 14, 2017 04:37am
wonderful moments. Finally international cricket back to Pakistan. watch out those who don't want to see happy Pakistan.
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MALIK
Sep 14, 2017 04:55am
Excellent pictures. Congratulations to Sethi Sahib and other officials. Job well done.
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SAHr
Sep 14, 2017 05:20am
Congratulations world eleven on well deserve victory. Well played team Pakistan.
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Shafqat
Sep 14, 2017 09:58am
Last picture is awesome!!!!!!!
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Sandeep Singh
Sep 14, 2017 10:36am
I think its too early to say International cricket is returned to Pakistan. Its still long way to go for major international teams to visit Pakistan.
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Human first
Sep 14, 2017 10:43am
Looks like wonderful event..
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Iqbal M Ali
Sep 14, 2017 11:14am
Please disclose how much these guys were paid to come to Pakistan?
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John snow
Sep 14, 2017 11:15am
Thanks world 11 for your visit and congrats on your Win as well
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Hyder
Sep 14, 2017 11:34am
Sir This was a great opportunity to play attacking young batsman Sahibzada Farhan but instead useless Ahmed Shahzad got the nod again and he has batted poorly. What next after this series???
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Que
Sep 14, 2017 11:55am
Awesome!!!!!
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Saad
Sep 14, 2017 12:37pm
Poor bowling by Pakistan in the end. You can't expect to contain the runs by bowling juicy full-tosses to the batsman. We let the match lip from our hands
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Ayaz Munir
Sep 14, 2017 12:39pm
@Sandeep Singh Brother , it atleast opens up a new road. That too a very significant one, you couldn't expect 5 south Africans to come to Pakistan just like that.
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AIZ
Sep 14, 2017 12:44pm
Excellent
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Sep 14, 2017 12:54pm
Well done guys. Keep it up and hang on tough.
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Mahen
Sep 14, 2017 01:32pm
@Ayaz Munir US hundred thousand a pop and anybody will come!
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Ilias from NL
Sep 14, 2017 02:11pm
I see Wahab Riaz in Sohail Khan at his last over, I'm wondering they needed 34 runs when 2 overs left...little sad end I felt.
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Jamshed
Sep 14, 2017 04:31pm
South African comes because 2 of the south african players are muslims and they adviced other team members to come , still its a good step to bring back international cricket to pakistan , but sarfaraz ahmed is very rude in his captaincy , very angry on his players.
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Irfan
Sep 14, 2017 04:53pm
Wellcome in Pakistan 'World Eleven'
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Unknown
Sep 14, 2017 05:21pm
@Khaleesi sorry about Ahmed Shahzad ;)
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ali
Sep 14, 2017 07:14pm
I love this, thank you WXI for coming to Pakistan. Thank you ICC I just Love Cricket. I wish I there and watching it live.
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Login
Sep 14, 2017 07:17pm
It's fixed series and home team will win 2-1
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Pavan
Sep 15, 2017 12:16pm
Nice to see international cricket coming back to Pakistan .... a country that love cricket to the core .... wish more international matches happen in Pakistan and would like to see India and Pakistan playing in each other
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Arnab bardhan
Sep 15, 2017 01:06pm
More 'match' can lift 'patch' of bans of Pakistan Cricket. Waiting for the FINAL match and in advance wish all Pakistani Players for great success.
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