Mohammad Hafeez will not features in Pakistan squad against World XI clashes?

According to the sources to Geo News, head coach Mickey Arthur wants to provide an opportunity to young talent in place of Hafeez, leaving the senior batsman’s inclusion in the three-match T20 series in doubt.

Hafeez has informed the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise St Kitts and Nevis Patriots of his availability for the remaining season of the T20 tournament, the sources told the news channel.

He left the tournament midway to be a part of the fitness tests at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore city.

Pacer Wahab Riaz might also not be a part of the Pakistan squad which will play against the World XI team, media reports said.

The pacer will leave for West Indies on August 27, where he will join Barbados Tridents for the remainder of the CPL season, the sources told Geo News.

The team is likely to visit Pakistan on Sept 12, 13 and 15 to play T20 series.

The World XI will play three Twenty20 Internationals for the Independence Cup against Pakistan under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 12, 13 and 15 September, read the ICC website.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a star-studded 14-member World XI, which comprises players from seven Test playing countries and will be captained by South Africa’s Faf du Plessis.

The World XI will play three Twenty20 Internationals for the Independence Cup against Pakistan under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The World XI includes five players from South Africa, three from Australia, two from the Windies, and one each from Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Apart from du Plessis, who is South Africa’s Test captain, the World XI also includes England’s ICC World Twenty20 2010 winning captain Paul Collingwood, who scored 108* off 68 balls in a T20 Blast game against Worcester in July; Windies’ Darren Sammy, who inspired his side to ICC World Twenty20 titles in 2012 and 2016; former number-one ranked Test batsman Hashim Amla; Bangladesh’s explosive opener Tamim Iqbal; Australia’s former ODI and T20I captain George Bailey; David Miller of South Africa, who is considered as one of the best finishers in modern day cricket, as well as T20I specialist Grant Elliott, who famously steered New Zealand to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final with a last-ball six against South Africa in Auckland.

Former Zimbabwe captain and ex-England coach Andy Flower will be the coach of the side, which will arrive in Lahore on 11 September after attending a two-day camp in Dubai.

World XI captain Faf du Plessis said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as captain of such a diverse, attractive and well-balanced side. Like most of the players, I look forward to my maiden tour to Lahore and play my part in the safe and gradual resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

“All the members of the squad have complete faith and trust in the assessment and judgement of the security experts, who have assured us that there will be no comprise on the safety and security of all those involved in the series. As professionals, we are getting paid to play in the series, but the bottom-line is that if we didn’t feel safe, no amount of money would get us there. In this background, we will land in Lahore with nothing except cricket in our minds.

“In my career, I have featured in some very exciting matches against Pakistan but playing Pakistan in front of its passionate supporters will be a unique occasion, which I can’t wait to experience. As a player, I understand the importance of playing in front of home crowds and that is something I’m sure the Pakistan players will relish.”

PCB Chairman Najam Sethi said: “On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the cricket loving public, I welcome the ICC World XI team to Pakistan to play in the three-match TI series.

“This will be an auspicious moment for Pakistan cricket and I am positive that it will serve to open the doors of international cricket in Pakistan. Kenya and Zimbabwe have already been here and featured in high-voltage matches with rapturous crowds.

“Recently, we successfully organized the final of the PSL’s second edition in Lahore, which proved to be a catalyst in gaining the confidence of the international community to come and play here. Now we are on the threshold of an exciting series between the winners of the Champions Trophy and am ICC in team boasting the top cricketing stars from seven nations.

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Giles Clarke, Chairman of ICC's Pakistan Task Force, for helping facilitate the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. I am confident that this World XI tour shall be a harbinger of other full member nations visiting us in the months to come.”

The World XI for the Independence Cup is:

1.     Faf du Plessis (captain) (South Africa)

2.     Hashim Amla (South Africa)

3.     Samuel Badree (Windies)

4.     George Bailey (Australia)

5.     Paul Collingwood (England)

6.     Ben Cutting (Australia)

7.     Grant Elliott (New Zealand)

8.     Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

9.     David Miller (South Africa)

10.  Morne Morkel (South Africa)

11.  Tim Paine (wicketkeeper) (Australia)

12.  Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

13.  Imran Tahir (South Africa)

14.  Darren Sammy (Windies)