LAHORE: South Africa?s Faf du Plessis, the captain of the World XI, said the historic tour to Pakistan presents a rare opportunity for the players to be a part of something bigger than just cricket.

He was addressing a press conference in Lahore with World XI coach Andy Flower, following the team?s arrival in the country earlier today for a three-match T20 Independence Cup beginning from Tuesday.

?When I sit down with my family some day and we talk about this.. it?s something I would be glad to have been a part of,? said du Plessis, as he expressed his excitement for participating in the historic series.

?I am proud to be captain of the World XI, to be bringing international cricket back to Pakistan,? he said, and thanked the Pakistani people for welcoming and hosting the team.

Andy Flower said he was happy and proud to be coach of the World XI team.

?We are celebrating the return of international cricket to Pakistan. This brave nation had to suffer absence of international cricket for a very long time,? Flower said.

The former Zimbabwean cricketer pointed out that Pakistan team had achieved a lot of significant milestones in the eight years that it had suffered isolation in the cricket world.

?Pakistan helped Zimbabwean cricket a lot in the 1990s,? he said.

The coach expressed hope the world will get to see some great cricket action this week.