World XI stars assemble in Pakistan

Excitement grows as a star-studded World XI team led by South Africa’s Du Plessis landed in Pakistan to play a three-match T20 series.

13 players from seven cricketing nations assembled in Lahore on Monday – a move that Pakistan hope will end their isolation from international cricket.

On March 2009, the Sri Lanka team bus came under terrorist attack. The attack saw eight people being killed - seven among players and staff were also injured.

Last time Pakistan hosted an international side in their home soil was in 2015 when they played Zimbabwe in a limited-overs series.

The World XI landed amidst heavy security that consisted of air surveillance and police vehicles to take the team to their hotel.

A barrier of 9000 policeman and paramilitary staff will cordon off the hotel and the stadium as per media reports.

The authorities are authorities were providing "foolproof security for the World XI with a big contingent of security officials deployed" confirmed Malik Mohammad Khan, a spokesperson for the government of Punjab.

"It's great to be here," said Andy Flower, the World XI coach and former Zimbabwe captain. "We are looking forward to seeing a lot of you watching the great cricket that we are going to put on show and we had a warm welcome already."

Bangladesh’s dashing opener Tamim Iqbal left for Lahore on Saturday night.

West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree was due to join the squad later on Monday, after playing in the Caribbean Premier League final.

World XI squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Tamim Iqbal, Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Samuel Badree, George Bailey, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliot, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Imran Tahir, Paul Collingwood