Andy Flower to coach World XI against Pakistan

Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower has been announced as coach of a World XI team against Pakistan in a three match T20 series set for next month in Lahore.

Flower holds the record for the highest career test runs for Zimbabwe with 4794 from 63 matches at an average of 51.54. His 232 against India in Naigpur is the second highest by an individual at that level second only to David Houghton’s 266 at home to Sri Lank 7 years earlier.

His 6786 runs in 213 matches is also the highest ever by a Zimbabwean.

Flower went onto achieve success as England team director winning the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies as well the Ashes in 2010/11 and 2013. In 2011 his England team became number among test countries in the world.

Flower was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to sport.

As a player Flower toured Pakistan with Zimbabwe in 1993, 1996 and 1998 with the Zimbabwe cricket teams

No Zimbabweans are included in the global team captained by Faf Du Plessis. Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel, David Miller and Imran Tahir are the other South Africa players in the 14-member squad. Australia provide three players – George Bailey, Ben Cutting and wicketkeeper Tim Paine – and West Indies’ two include Darren Sammy, who went for the PSL final earlier this year. There’s one player each from England, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.