KARACHI — Pakistan will host a World XI for two Twenty20 matches, officials said Tuesday, in hopes of moving a step closer to resuming home internationals which have been suspended for more than three years. Foreign sides have refused to play in Pakistan since 2009, when the Sri Lankan team was attacked as it arrived for the third day of the second Test in Lahore, leaving eight people dead. Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya will lead the World XI, which also includes former players from South Africa and the West Indies. It will play a Pakistan All Stars side in Karachi Saturday and Sunday. Mohammad Ali Shah, Sports Minister for Sindh province, said the matches will help restore Pakistan's image in the world. “We hope that this small step will pave the way for other teams to tour Pakistan and by staging these matches we hope to send a clear message that our country is safe for international sports,” Shah told a press conference. Former West Indian batsman Alvin Kallicharan will be the manager of the World XI, said Shah. The World XI will also include Ricardo Powell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Charles Lawson and Adam Sanford, all from the West Indies; South Africa's Justin Kemp, Loots Bosman, Mthandeki Tschabalala, Andre Nel, Andre Johann Seymore and Nantie Hayward; and Shapoor Zadran and Mohammad Shahzad Mohammadi of Afghanistan. Shah said strict security would be in place. “Around 5,000 policemen will be employed to avoid any lapse,” said Shah. “All the players are excited over the prospect of visiting Pakistan.” Pakistan will be led by all-rounder Shahid Afridi and include Younis Khan, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Wahab Riaz and Imran Nazir. England peace talks England bowler Stuart Broad believes his international teammates are ready to end their rift with Kevin Pietersen after agreeing to peace talks with the controversial batsman. Pietersen was sent into exile during the Test series against South Africa after sending provocative text messages to the opposition that contained criticism of then England captain Andrew Strauss. The 32-year-old was dropped for the final Test and has since been left out of the one-day series against South Africa and then World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, while Strauss retired from all forms of cricket during the controversy. But Pietersen has now apologized for his behavior and recently signed a new central contract with England after agreeing to enter a “re-integration” process. The next step in bringing Pietersen in from the cold will be a meeting with his England teammates and coach Andy Flower. Flower and several of England senior stars were believed to be furious with Pietersen's actions in recent months, but there has been a softening of that attitude and Broad is hopeful the talks will aid the Surrey batsman's return in time for the forthcoming tours to India and New Zealand. — Agencies
