Pakistan took a significant step towards the resumption of international cricket in the country following the successful organisation of an exhibition match between International World XI and Pakistan XI in Karachi on Saturday.
The second exhibition Twenty20 match between the International World XI and Pakistan Stars XI ended peacefully and amidst fanfare and fireworks allowing Pakistanis to celebrate the return of of international cricket to the country after nearly three-and-a-half years.
The name of the World XI has been changed to International XI by the organisers for the two Twenty20 matches to be played in Pakistan following objection from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The two exhibition Twenty20 matches between a World XI and Pakistan Stars XI ran into trouble after the International Cricket Council objected to the visiting team's name, forcing the organisers to rename the side.
Pakistan will launch its Premier League Twenty20 tournament in March as it bids to lure more international cricketers back to the country.
Pakistan All Star XI demolished International World XI by 84 runs in a Twenty20 exhibition match at the National Stadium here that marked the return of international cricket in the country after a hiatus of more than three years.
The star-studded series to take place under tight security will be closely monitored by other cricket boards and if all goes well Pakistan expects to host Sri Lanka and West Indies this year, Pakistan cricket board chairman Najam Sethi said.
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