Faf du Plessis and Sarfraz Ahmed with the trophy

A young, buoyant Pakistan team takes on the star-studded World XI in the series decider of the Independence Cup at the Gaddafi Stadium today, as the historic tournament draws to a close.

Today?s finale has all the makings of a memorable clash, as the galaxy of top-notch cricketers from seven different countries and Champions Trophy winners Pakistan lock horns in the race to the glittering trophy.

Hosts Pakistan will be defying a tough challenge from some of the best players from around the world, whereas the World XI will be eager to beat the home side to salvage its pride and clinch the title.

Both the rival captains have expressed their resolve to win the third and last T20 match of the series, which stands locked at 1-1 after Pakistan beat the World XI by 20 runs in the opener, and the tourists avenged the defeat by overcoming the hosts by seven wickets in front of a full house at the Gaddafi Stadium.

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"It is a very important match for us and we will be going all out to win the match as the series is leveled at 1-1 and the match has become equally important for the both sides to claim the series title," said Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmad while talking to APP.

He said the team must show consistency which will only be possible when all the players exhibit their best game.

"I have urged the fellow colleague to give their one hundred per cent and should not repeat the errors which they committed in the second match," he added.

Sarfraz asked the team members to lift the level of their overall game, especially fielding to save runs and called upon the Pakistan pace battery to bowl with more vigour and accuracy to shatter the confidence of the experienced batting lineup of the opposition.

"Beating the World XI is a tough task, but we are in the right mindset to achieve this objective the way we did in the opening match of the series," he said.

World XI captain Faf du Plessis said his team will play the final game with the same mindset it adopted during the second match.

"It is not going to be easy at all for us as Pakistan team has the added advantage of home ground and crowd and it also has the ability to fight back due to some good players in the side and we have to overcome all these challenges for a winning way," he said.

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The South African captain said the World XI comprises players from different countries and they took time to gel like a team and he is confident that the team will be putting up a good show in the last match.

To a question he said he and his teammates are enjoying playing cricket in Pakistan and they are very happy to be here.

"Pakistani people are very caring and loving and we received big encouragement and support from them in the two matches and we look forward to a similar gesture from them in the last match as well," he said.

Squads

World XI: Faf du Plessis (captain, South Africa), Hashim Amla (South Africa), Samuel Badree (Windies), George Bailey (Australia), Paul Collingwood (England), Ben Cutting (Australia), Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), David Miller (South Africa), Morne Morkel (South Africa), Tim Paine (wicketkeeper, Australia), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Darren Sammy (Windies) and Imran Tahir (South Africa).

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmad (captain/wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Baber Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umer Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari and Sohail Khan.