KARACHI - When the International World XI led by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jaysuriya take on all Pakistan Star XI captained by Shahid Afridi here on Saturday night (tonight) in the first of the two T20 match series at the National Stadium, it will be first tentative step towards resorting international cricket in Pakistan. According to the organisers, all the tickets have been sold out and a full house is being expected at the stadium under flood lights to witness top stars of the world clashing in the briefest form of cricket. All the arrangements to host the first international competition, after three and half years in the country, have been finalized. Top priority has been given to the security issues and hundreds of policemen supported by Rangers would be deployed in and around the stadium to ensure security. Strict security checks would be carried out on the all entrances. Metal detectors have been installed at the VIP gates and at the entrance of the stadium. Speaking to the media, Jayasuriya praised Dr MA Shah who did not let hope slip and continued with determination to hold the event. His courage and persuasion had finally bore fruit, he added. Kalicharran said when he arrived here he witnessed the enthusiasm of the media in the series whose coverage reflected how much Pakistanis love to watch international cricket. Pakistan Star XI captain Shahid Afridi in a brief comment thanked PCB and the players of international cricket for coming here and showing how much interest they have for the good of cricket in Pakistan. Dr MA Shah also thanked the players of the international XI and spoke in length how he had persuaded his dream of hosting the series. He was also thankful to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, the Federal Government and Sindh Chief Minister Dr Qaim Ali Shah for their support. Former Test wicketkeeper Wasim Bari, who is an employee of the PCB, attended the function as representative of the board. The match will start at 7 in the evening under flood lights. Ehsan Mani, the former president of the International Cricket Council, the sport's governing body, lauded this weekend's matches as a step on the way to normalising Pakistan's position. "This is a commendable effort," Mani said. "The visiting team has some well known players and I am sure when they return they will tell people about Pakistan and it could prove a small step in a long process." But the PCB has done its best to keep this weekend's matches at arm's length, terming them ‘unofficial’ and insisting it bears no responsibility for security, fearful that any breach would set back the rehabilitation process. Indeed, since the Bangladesh humiliation, the PCB has been very reluctant to say anything about its efforts to persuade overseas sides to visit, leading many to wonder if they are making any efforts at all in this direction. Mani criticised the PCB for its apparent lack of a clear strategy. "I don't think they have gone about reviving cricket in a normal way," he said. "It seems they are making efforts on an ad-hoc basis and not getting involved in these matches in a big way. It is disappointing." PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf said luring international teams back to Pakistan was not easy, but insisted the board was taking measures to restore confidence. "We have planned to build a huge stadium (in Islamabad) along with a hotel within the premises that will allow surveillance with heavy security and teams will be carried from the airport to the stadium with the help of helicopters," he said. It is encouraging that players such as Jayasuriya, and South Africa's Andre Nel and Nantie Hayward, are willing to come, and a successful weekend will undoubtedly send out a positive message about the country as a cricket destination. Whatever the long-term chances, for now Pakistan's tens of millions of cricket nuts are just delighted to have a couple of games on their doorstep. "It will surely be fun," said Usman Siddiqui, looking for tickets. "At least we have some cricket on our grounds, which have been completely unused. Let's keep our fingers crossed, we will have big teams some day." Meanwhile, foreign cricketers reached Karachi Gymkhana on Friday for a practice session ahead of their first Twenty20 clash on Saturday against Pakistan All Stars.They were escorted to Gymkhana facility under tight security. Former Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya will captain the International World XI, featuring former South African Test players Andre Nel and Nantie Hayward and Ricardo Powell of West Indies. Shahid Afridi will lead the Pakistan’s side. The two exhibition Twenty20 matches have been arranged by Sindh Sports Minister M Ali Shah in a bid to revive international cricket in the country.