Pakistan register a 20-run victory against World XI
Pakistan team secured a 20-run victory taking 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series against the World XI. World XI led by Faf du Plessis failed to chase down the 198-run target set by the hosts at Lahore's Gaddafi stadium. It was Babar Azam who shone the brightest for Pak having scored 86 off 52, and set a 122-run stand with Ahmed Shehzad.
First innings summary
Having won the toss, the World XI chose to field first giving Sarfraz Ahmed & Co., an opportunity to score 197/5 in the first innings of the first T20I. Ahmed Shehzad (39), Babar Azam (86), and Shoab Malik (38) contributed to majority of the Pak's score before picked out by Ben Cutting, Imran Tahir and Thisara Perera, respectively.
World XI fail to play catch-up
Despite an enviable opening line-up consisting of Hashim Amla and Tamim Iqbal, the World XI failed to get over the line after losing two wickets in the fifth over. In a subsequent catch-up game, the likes of du Plessis failed to add adequate runs, putting them out of contention to chase. Sohail Khan, Rumman Raees, and Shadab Khan took two wickets each.
First international match in years
Post 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket team bus, this is the only second time Pakistan's team has hosted an international match at home. Zimbabwe visited them last in 2015.
