Lahore: Pakistan beat the World XI by 20 runs in an exciting finish to the first Twenty20 match in Lahore, celebrating the return of international cricket to the country amid tight security.
It is only the second time Pakistan has hosted an international match since a 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus, also in Lahore.
Pakistan's total of 197-5 saw one-drop batsman Babar Azam top-scoring with a 52-ball 86 studded with 10 boundaries and two sixes, adding 122 for the second wicket with Ahmed Shehzad who made 39.
The World XI finished with 177 with Darren Sammy and skipper Faf du Plessis scoring 29 each. For Pakistan Sohail Khan, Shadab Khan and Rumman Raees took two wickets apiece. The second and third matches are also in Lahore on Wednesday and Friday.
Brief scores: Pakistan 197/5 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 86, Ahmed Shehzad 39, Shoaib Malik 38, T. Perera 2/51) bt World XI 177/7 in 20 overs (Hashim Amla 26, Tim Paine 25, Faf du Plessis 29, Darren Sammy 29 n.o., Sohail Khan 2/28, Rumman Raees 2/37, Shadab Khan 2/33.
