There is good news for sports lovers as they would see international players in action after both World XIs of cricket and hockey have planned to visit Pakistan to play matches against the national teams.
A 14-member World XI led by South Africa’s Faf du Plessis would be touring Pakistan next month to play three Twenty20s for the Independence Cup against national cricket team at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 13 and 15.
Talking to APP, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Sr said that a hockey World XI has agreed to visit Pakistan in November. “World XI will include Olympic and World champions,” he said.
He said that the World XI would play two matches in Pakistan, one in Lahore on November 21 and one in Karachi on November 22. Responding to a question, he said that the names of the World XI players were not yet finalised.
Speaking about Pakistan Hockey League (PHL), Shahbaz said that a meeting had been called in Lahore on Saturday to discuss about the developments of the league. “Hopefully the matters regarding the league will be finalized after Eid-ul-Azha,” he said.
He said that the PHF was making all-out efforts to revive the national game. “PHF has been in discussions with several departments, including Fauji Foundation, Pakistan Television (PTV), Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in a bid to provide jobs to national players,” he said. “Currently Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) WAH, would provide jobs to eighteen hockey players and two officials,” he claimed.
