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By APD Writer Muhammad Sohail
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 16 (APD) -- Pakistan cricket team defeated World XI side in the third match of the Twenty20 International series to lift the Independence Cup trophy in its eastern city of Lahore on Friday night.
The excited spectators chant slogans and cheer for their respective team in the jam-packed Gadaffi Stadium in Pakistan’s Lahore.
World XI captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat first. Pakistan’s opening batsman Ahmad Shahzad struck enterprising (89) runs and Pakistani pacers put up a sterling performance to set up home team’s 33 runs win at Gadaffi stadium Lahore.
Ahmad regained his lost form and class with an entertaining to guide Pakistan to a decent total of 183 for 4 in 20 overs. Later, Pakistan restricted the World XI to 150 for 8 in 20 overs to win the three-match series by 2-1.
Apart from Ahmad's electrifying knock, reliable top-order batsman, Babar Azam showed consistency with 48 runs as opener Fakhar Zaman added quick fired (27).
The day's hero, Ahmad kept the one end alive and partnered Babar stand for the second wicket of 102 runs.
Pakistani batsman Ahmad Shahzad wavering to crowed after achieving his mile stone of a half century.
The World XI while chasing the victory target never looked comfortable in run chase as their three wickets were down at 41 and things turned bad to worse for them as they were reduced to 5 for 65 by Pakistan’s deadly bowling.
Ahmed Shahzad was declared man of the match while Azam won player of the series award.
Talking at the post-match ceremony, Pakistan team captain Sarfraz Ahmed said “Credit goes to the trainers and coaches for laying down strict markers towards fitness. We were sloppy in the second game but the way we came back today was superb. This is a young team, the focus is to ensure we give them confidence and opportunities.”
South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir (1st right) bowls to Pakistani batsman during the final match.
Terming the event a great success, South African captain Faf du Plessis expressed his happiness and joy for coming and playing in Pakistan.
A scene of final match being played between Pakistan and the World XI.
It was the first mega cricket event held in Pakistan after a gap of more than eight years. Cricket and other international sports activities came to halt after a group of terrorists attacked Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009 and injured some team members.
The series is considered as a great achievement for Pakistan in its attempts to restore international sports at home.
Pakistani players celebrate after taking wicket of Tamim Iqbal (1st right) of Bangladesh.
The World XI team comprises world’s top players from seven countries and its visit testified that Pakistan has significantly improved its security through military operations.
Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel, David Miller and Imran Tahir were the other South Africa players in the team along with three Australians, including George Bailey, Ben Cutting and wicketkeeper Tim Paine, and two players from West Indies, and one player each from England, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
