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5 Proteas to play in ICC World XI

Cape Town - FIVE Proteas players have been named in the ICC World XI team to take on Pakistan in the three-match T20 series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday confirmed the 14-man World XI squad on Twitter.

Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir will be travelling to Pakistan to support the revival of international cricket in the country.

Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower will coach the World XI and selected the squad for the tour.

Du Plessis, who is the current national T20 and Test skipper, will lead the World XI in Lahore.

"I am honoured to have been appointed as captain of such a diverse, attractive and well-balanced side," said Du Plessis.

"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," ended Du Plessis.

Amla, who visited Pakistan with Graeme Smith's side in 2007, said: "I am looking forward to the trip to Pakistan. The rehabilitation of my injured shoulder is progressing well and I am confident of being fit for the matches."

Earlier this week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) agreed to support the series in a bid to help international cricket in Pakistan.

The tours are seen as a big step towards Pakistan once again hosting major international outfits after militants targeted the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Since the attacks, Pakistan has only hosted a limited-over series against Zimbabwe in 2015 while Bangladesh, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Ireland turned down offers over security fears.

The ICC World XI and Pakistan series is set to get underway between September 12-19.

World XI squad:

Faf du Plessis (South Africa, captain), Hashim Amla (South Africa), George Bailey (Australia), Paul Collingwood (England), Ben Cutting (Australia), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), David Miller (South Africa), Tim Paine (Australia, wicketkeeper), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Darren Sammy (West Indies), Samuel Badree (West Indies), Morne Morkel (South Africa), Imran Tahir (South Africa)

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