South African Test and T20 Captain Faf du Plessis, who is leading the World XI squad in the Independence Cup 2017, said that the international cricketers on his team were "playing for something bigger than the game itself".
Faf du Plessis and World XI coach Andy Flower were addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday, following the arrival of the World XI cricket team in the early hours of the day. “You always try to find things to help you leave your mark — and this seemed like the sort of opportunity to do just that,” said du Plessis.
“As a cricketer, in a few years' time, I will be able to look back and say that I played my part in bringing cricket back to Pakistan.”
“The World XI comprises well known international players who have come to Lahore to play their part in bringing international cricket to Pakistan so that the diehard fans and enthusiasts can once again watch cricket in their own backyard,” said World XI coach Flower.
“The World XI looks forward to celebrating the return of international cricket in Pakistan,” he said, adding “I'm sure our international stars will return home with happy memories”.
Earlier, the Chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) Task Force on Pakistan Giles Clarke congratulated the Pakistani people over the revival of cricket in the country, saying, “It is not just cricket, but much much more than that".
Clarke, along with PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, was addressing a press conference.