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**By APD Writer Muhammad Sohail **
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 13 (APD) -- Pakistan defeated World XI in the first Twenty20 international cricket match by 20 runs in the country’s eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday night.
Spectators cheer up for Pakistan's success.
Faf du Plessis, the captain of the visiting World XI, won the toss and put Pakistan to bat first in the first high-temperature encounter of three-match series at the jam-packed international Gaddafi Stadium.
Batting first Pakistan set a big total of 197/5 off 20 over with the help of a Babar Azam’s quick inning of 86 runs off only 52 balls. Chasing the target, World XI kept losing wickets at short intervals and finally the team could make only 177 runs at the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs quota.
Azam was awarded with an award of man of the match as Pakistan took 1-0 lead in the series.
Players are competing with each other.
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.
The sports scene of Cricket.
The visit of the World XI team comprises world’s top players from seven countries testifies that country has significantly improved its security through military operations.
Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel, David Miller and Imran Tahir are 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.
The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on Wednesday night.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
