Twitter gets flooded with reactions as World XI gets set to play cricket in Pakistan

Courtesy: Twitter (@ICC)

New Delhi: A host of international cricket stars will take to the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore tonight in the specially organised extraveganza which looks to build a foundation of the return of cricket in Pakistan. (Pakistan vs World XI - How to watch online?)

The World XI`s tour of militancy-racked Pakistan is considered more than just a game of cricket, which captain Faf du Plessis and coach Andy Flower hoping to play their parts in reviving international cricket in the country.

South Africa`s du Plessis told reporters in Lahore it was a "huge honour" to be playing the highest-profile event in cricket-mad Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

Officials have said there will be "foolproof" security for the three-match Twenty20 series starting Tuesday in Lahore.

Both the hotel and stadium will be cordoned off, with 9,000 police and paramilitary staff deployed. Shops and restaurants around the venue will be shut while spectators will have to pass through multiple security checkpoints. 

The international stars' arrival in Lahore, got virtually every Pakistani player and citizen excited as many shared pictures and messages welcoming international cricket back to the country.

Heartiest WELCOME to all world 11 player to Pakistan,Love to host u all , enjoy ur stay & m sure u guys wil love Pakistan's Hospitality — Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 10, 2017

Doston, I want to see this spirit at the #T20I - lets show the world how we celebrate cricket.. Pakistani style! pic.twitter.com/uHgnmUsgNS — Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) September 10, 2017

Welcome to Pakistan mates. I hope, you will enjoy the hospitality. Thank you @TheRealPCB for such great efforts.#CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI https://t.co/VIHqqkQ5Ck — Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) September 11, 2017

Imran Tahir "I was probably the first one to be asked to play for the World XI in Pakistan and I said I'd love to go" #PAKvWXI #Cricket — Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 11, 2017

Players at Lahore Hotel#PAKvWXI#CricketKiHalalala #CricketComesHome #WorldXI pic.twitter.com/LgzN6L3xpe — HAMMAD QURESHI (@iamHJQ) September 11, 2017

World XI and Pakistan team practice session at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore#PAKvWXI #CricketKiHalalala pic.twitter.com/NBR92DdE2V — PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017

World XI's @amlahash praised Pakistan's resilient nature and doing so well in a period without any home international fixtures #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/e0Zm5b8zVc — ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2017

World XI and Pakistan team practice session at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore#PAKvWXI #CricketKiHalalala pic.twitter.com/O3EooQoj8w — PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 11, 2017

Pakistan captain @SarfarazA_54 and World XI captain @faf1307 show off the #PAKvWXI series trophy #ShotOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/7q2LkXaj7h — ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2017

Final preparations are underway for tomorrow's first clash between Pakistan and the World XI in Lahore.

Gallery: https://t.co/cHzR4OcgyS pic.twitter.com/8USzED9YRX — ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2017

Heading to Lahore for the Exciting World XI. And to the international cricketers participating in our event- a huge Welcome to Pakistan  — Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) September 11, 2017

Thumbs up #cricketkihalalala
More than just a game pic.twitter.com/gaFFzs1S43 — Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) September 10, 2017

Guyz meet the new welcome committe 4 World XI .. who else shld v add 2 it  jokes aside v r super excited for #CricketKiHalalala #PakvsWXI pic.twitter.com/7XVZ8DErDJ — Ahmad Shahzad (@iamAhmadshahzad) September 10, 2017

Pakistan has not hosted top-level international cricket -- barring five limited-over matches against minnows Zimbabwe in 2015 -- since that attack, which killed eight people and injured seven players and staff.