Karachi: Pakistan All Star XI demolished International World XI by 84 runs in a Twenty20 exhibition match at the National Stadium that marked the return of international cricket in the country after a hiatus of more than three years.
Riding on quick-fire knocks from Umar Akmal (67), and Shahzaib Hasan (54) and a belligerent 29 from Imran Nazir, Pakistan XI scored a mammoth 222 for seven on Saturday.
To make matters worse for the World XI, young pacer Tabish Khan cut through the middle-order with a hat-trick to leave the visitors in tatters as they eventually could manage a meagre 138 for 8.
World XI were never in the hunt once they lost their opener and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya in the first over.
But what was significant about the match was that it was played competitively and in good spirits in front of a capacity 32,000 crowd.
Brief scores
Pakistan All Star XI 222 for 7 (Umar Akmal 67*, Shahzaib Hasan 54, Tshabalala 3-20)
International World XI 138 for 8 (Shapoor Zadran 42, Tabish Khan 3-25)
Result Pakistan All Star XI won by 84 runs
MOM Umar Akmal (Pakistan All Star XI)