2017 Independence Cup (cricket)

2017 Independence Cup
 
  Pakistan World XI
Dates 12 – 15 September 2017
Captains Sarfaraz Ahmed Faf du Plessis
Twenty20 International series
Results Pakistan won the 3-match series 2–1
Most runs Babar Azam (179) Hashim Amla (119)
Most wickets Sohail Khan (3)
Rumman Raees (3)		 Thisara Perera (6)
Player of the series Babar Azam (Pak)
2017 Independence Cup official logo

The 2017 Independence Cup was a cricket tournament that took place in Lahore, Pakistan.[1][2] It was contested between a World XI team and Pakistan across three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.[3] Pakistan won the series 2–1.[4]

South Africa's Faf du Plessis captained the World XI team,[5] with Sarfaraz Ahmed leading Pakistan.[6] Ten of the players in the Pakistan squad had not previously played in an international match at home.[7] The World XI side arrived in Lahore a day before the first fixture under high security.[8] The cup was named in commemoration of Pakistan's 70th year of independence.[9]

The International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed Richie Richardson as the match referee for the fixtures, the first time the ICC has sent an official to oversee cricket matches in Pakistan since 2009.[10] Aleem Dar, Ahsan Raza, Ahmed Shahab and Shozab Raza were appointed as the on-field umpires.[11] The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced the #CricketKiHalalala hashtag for the series.[12]

The PCB spent an estimated $3 million to host the three matches, with players on the World XI team being paid approximately $100,000 each.[13] The ICC contributed more than $1 million towards security costs.[13] While attendance for the first two matches were as high as 90%, this was down on the crowd numbers for the final of the 2017 Pakistan Super League.[14] Higher ticket pricing was to blame for the drop in attendance, with some tickets being given to local schools as a result.[14] The ICC and PCB looked at the possibility for further World XI tours to Pakistan in the next two years, with the priority for more Full Member sides to tour.[15]

Following the conclusion of the series, Faf du Plessis said how much it meant for the people of Pakistan and that it hopefully will bring cricket back to the country.[16] Sarfraz Ahmed said that he was thankful to the World XI team and that "I expect these players to return back to Pakistan with full squads to play a full Test series".[17] The ICC congratulated Pakistan for hosting the tournament, with the aim to get bilateral international cricket returning to Pakistan.[18] The following month, the Sri Lanka cricket team played a T20I in Lahore against Pakistan.[19]

  1. ^ "Du Plessis to captain World XI against Pakistan in Independence Cup". Pakistan Cricket Board. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  2. ^ Farooq, Umar (21 August 2017). "Pakistan to host World XI series in September". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  3. ^ "PCB confirm World XI series". Cricket Australia. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  4. ^ Rasool, Danyal (15 September 2017). "Pakistan mark cricket's return to the country with series win". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Du Plessis to captain World XI against Pakistan in Independence Cup". International Cricket Council. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Sohail Khan back in Pakistan squad for World XI series". ESPN Cricinfo. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  7. ^ Arshad, Mazher (11 September 2017). "Pakistani pride: 10 players set for home debut". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  8. ^ Farooq, Umar (11 September 2017). "World XI series a 'huge leap' for Pakistan – Najam Sethi". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  9. ^ Martin, Ali (6 March 2017). "Pakistan to host international cricket again with T20 series versus World XI". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  10. ^ "ICC to send match official to Pakistan for first time since 2009". ESPN Cricinfo. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  11. ^ "PCB announces Umpires for Independence Cup". Pakistan Cricket Board. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Brighto Paints Presents UBL Independence Cup 2017". Pakistan Cricket Board. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  13. ^ a b Samiuddin, Osman (11 September 2017). "PCB to spend US$ 2.5–3 million for Independence Cup". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Mistake to set such high ticket prices – Najam Sethi". ESPN Cricinfo. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  15. ^ Samiuddin, Osman (13 September 2017). "ICC plans to bring more Full Members to Pakistan in coming years". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  16. ^ Rasool, Danyal (16 September 2017). "'We've been extremely well looked after' – Flower". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  17. ^ Farooq, Umar (16 September 2017). "Sarfraz expresses gratitude to visiting World XI team". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  18. ^ "ICC congratulates Pakistan for successful staging of Independence Cup". International Cricket Council. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  19. ^ "Pakistan cruise to win on Lahore's big night". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 October 2017.