Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium was alive with the roar of Pakistani fans witnessing a rare exhibition with the revival of international cricket in the country on Tuesday after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team all but ended cricket on home turf save for a T20 series played by Zimbabwe in 2015.
The green shirts set a target of 198 runs for the star-studded World XI side, which fell 20 runs short of the challenge.
It was the first time many of the younger players on the team played an international game on home turf to a crowd of cheering Pakistanis.
World XI skipper Faf du Plessis said he was happy "play a small part in bringing cricket back to Pakistan."
After his side's defeat, du Plessis accepted graciously that "Pakistan played exceptionally well".
Rumman Raees (C) celebrates with teammate Ahmed Shehzad after taking the wicket of World XI batsman Tamim Iqbal. ─AFP
Spectators cheer at the start of the first T20I between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium. ─ AFP
Members of the World XI team ride in traditional rickshaws before the start of the first match of the Independence Cup series between the World XI team and Pakistan in Lahore. ─ AP
A soldier stands guard as spectators queue at an entry gate at the main entrance of the Gaddafi Stadium. —AFP
World XI players celebrate as Fakhar Zaman leaves the pitch. — AFP
World XI cricketer Darren Sammy (R) celebrates after the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman during the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. ─AFP
Babar Azam celebrates after scoring 50 runs during the first T20I between the World XI and Pakistan. ─ AFP
World XI cricketer Imarn Tahir (C) celebrates with teammate Darren Sammy after dismissal of Pakistani batsman Babar Azam. — AFP
World XI captain Faf du Plessis (L) and teammate Tim Paine run between the wicket during the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 2017. —AFP
Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad plays a shot as World XI wicket-keeper Tim Paine looks on. —AFP
Spectators cheer at the start of the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan. —AFP
World XI players arrive on the pitch in rickshaws painted with truck art at Gaddafi Stadium. —AFP
Spectators held posters welcoming the World XI side. — AFP
Babar Azam receives the Man of the Match award from PCB Chairman Najam Sethi. ─ AP
