Babar's 86 edges out World XI in Lahore
Pakistan's return home in more than two years was triumphant, beating the World XI in 20 runs in the first T20I in Lahore
Pakistan's return home in more than two years was triumphant, beating the World XI in 20 runs in the first T20I in Lahore
Scorer: Thilak Ram | Commentator: Karthik Krishnaswamy
10.45pm: That's it for tonight, a triumphant return home for Pakistan, and a feast for their fans at the Gaddafi. We'll bring you the second T20I tomorrow, and the third game on Friday. Do tune in for that. Until then, good night!
Sarfraz Ahmed: "It was a very important match, after Champions Trophy. No praise is too high for our players, especially Babar Azam, and the way Ahmed Shehzad played, and the way Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim finished the innings. We've got some very good players, which is why the selection committee is giving them a lot of opportunities. Our fitness is getting better day after day, and the humidity today was a test of it, and we passed it."
Faf du Plessis: "It was a good game, I thought Pakistan played exceptionally well. I thought it was a 180 wicket, so maybe we gave away 20 runs too many. Our bowling was possibly one-dimensional. They had a lot of variety, spinners, left-arm, right-arm. It was a great occasion to play here, and as soon as we walked into the field, it was just a normal game. I needed to get a 50 or 60 for us to win. Quick turnaround, I don't think I've ever played two T20s in two days. Great to play in front of the Pakistani fans, hopefully next two games we can get a full house."
Babar Azam is the Player of the Match. "There was no pressure. It was just a slow wicket, so I thought I'll take my time and play my natural game. Once I got a partnership with Ahmed bhai, I just wanted to take it as far as I could."
There's a Giggly Boom Boom shot of the match award, and it's gone to Hashim Amla. Has there been a greater name for an award in the history of awards?
Talha Hameed: "STATS: Total of Four T20Is have been played in Pakistan, Pakistan have won all Four. Brilliant!"
10.20pm Pakistan's first home international in two years, and they've won it comfortably. World XI were chasing the game right through their innings, and maybe they didn't get their batting order right, but none of that really matters now, does it? Think about everyone in the stands right now, and just the fact that they were able to watch their own team, in the flesh, after so long. And today they've got to watch some excellent performances from their players, none better than a brilliant 86 from Lahore's very own Babar Azam. There was also some vintage late hitting from Shoaib Malik, some typically un-hittable slow left-arm swerve from Imad Wasim, ripping legbreaks and googlies from Shadab Khan, and a last over full of yorkers from Hasan Ali.
NLTC Perera run out 17 (11b 3x4 0x6) SR: 154.54
34 off the last over. Five sixes and a four. Can Sammy manage that?
The 22-year old thrilled the Lahore crowd and stamped his authority as a limited-overs batsman with a match-winning 52-ball 86
ESPNcricinfo's Osman Samiuddin soaks in the atmosphere inside and out of the venue where top-flight cricket returned to Pakistan after eight-and-a-half years
Pakistan's return home in more than two years was triumphant, beating the World XI in 20 runs in the first T20I in Lahore
Two global crowns, the PSL, and a governing body whose earnings have multiplied indicate that cricket in Pakistan has held its own despite the obstacles
Giles Clarke, head of the ICC's Pakistan Task Team, echoed Sethi's comments after the World XI squad arrived in Lahore on Monday morning