Pakistan mark cricket's return with series win
Pakistan produced a clinical performance in all three departments to beat Faf du Plessis' men by 33 runs in the third and final T20I and clinch the series 2-1
Pakistan produced a clinical performance in all three departments to beat Faf du Plessis' men by 33 runs in the third and final T20I and clinch the series 2-1
Commentator: Shashank Kishore
There's plenty still left from this series, which Osman, Danyal and Umar will bring you over the course of the next 24 hours. For now, as Pakistan comes together to thank World XI and revel in joy and maybe even relief over the smooth conduct of this series, it's time for us to say goodbye. This has truly been a special series, one which we all hope would be instrumental in ensuring more teams tour this part of the world in the not-too-distant future. On behalf of Akshay Gopalakrishnan, this is Shashank Kishore signing off. Cheers!
Sarfraz Ahmed: "No praise is enough for the guys," he says. "The guys have stopped eating rice and rotis. Credit 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."
The winning Pakistan team now come up to receive awards. Sarfraz Ahmed gets the biggest cheer.
Faf du Plessis: This has been a huge success. We wanted to come here and play a small part in cricket coming back to Pakistan. Thank everyone for the opportunity for coming here. We were joking about it, the blokes were saying we should do this every year. For a lot of guys who don't play a lot of international cricket these days, this was terrific competition against a strong Pakistan side. There's lot more energy, their fielding is electric. That's a big change. They're as good as any team. Skills wise, yorkers, slower balls - they're all there. We were very happy to be here and play a role. Thank you so much for the hospitality.
Each member of the World XI squad - except Daren Sammy - and their support staff receive special medals from Dave Cameron. All of them get a huge round of applause.
Babar Azam is the Player of the series.
Ahmed Shehzad is the Player of the Match for his 55-ball 89. "I was just trying to play to the situation," he says. "Maybe I failed to score big runs in the first two games but we had good partnerships that took us to the totals we wanted. Today I decided to bat till the end. I thought if others could do it, why wasn't I able to build on my 30s and 40s. It came out well. I've been working really hard. The coaching staff have been with me through my thick and thin. They showed their faith and trust in me when I didn't score runs. I would like congratulate PCB and all the forces who have been working day and night. We've been talking to the international players and few of them even said they'd like to come back again. Yes, they came here, we all enjoyed but cricket wins."
Dave Cameron, chairman Cricket West Indies, receives a special coin from PCB chairman Najam Sethi for extending his support to Pakistan
10.35pm Andy Flower and his World XI players walk around the ropes to thank the crowd. That's a terrific gesture. Grant Elliott, while on commentary, even said how they wished this lasted longer. Let is not be forgotten that amidst the craze for cricket and the excitement this series produced, Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq were given an opportunity to say goodbye in front of their home fans.
10.30pm In the end, World XI were a group of players, while Pakistan was a team, and it finally showed. Sarfraz calls his boys into a huddle. Does all the talking before his boys roar in delight. They came into this series as favourites and have played like one. So the euphoria has carried on from their Champions Trophy win. Mind you, the visitors weren't any pushovers. There was some serious pedigree in there, but Pakistan - they'll love to hear this - have dominated in conditions familiar to them. Thank you for making this possible, Lahore.
Wonder how the fans must be feeling? Wonder if there is a feeling of emptiness that typically accompanies everyone at the end of a week of festivities. Or at the end of a big-fat wedding, perhaps? I'm sure those who were inconvenienced by all the security checks and traffic restrictions will also go home satisfied at having their monies worth.
Right then. Last few minutes of cricket in what has been a superb series. Touchwood it has all passed off smoothly. Huge credit to Lahore and everyone associated with these matches to make it possible. Pakistan not far away from the trophy
However, the Cricket West Indies president was personally quite satisfied by security arrangements in Lahore for the final match of the World XI series
Sammy told ESPNcricinfo that he had rushed back to the dressing room for a toilet break and brushed away talks of him ignoring the CWI president. Other voices in the World-XI dressing room, though, think otherwise
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said this series was "different" to the Zimbabwe tour of 2015, and looked forward to the return of Test cricket to the country
This fan thoroughly enjoyed watching the deciding T20I in a series that marked the return of high-profile international cricket in Pakistan
Pakistan produced a clinical performance in all three departments to beat Faf du Plessis' men by 33 runs in the third and final T20I and clinch the series 2-1