KARACHI: Pakistan will host the inaugural edition of the over-40 Senior Cricket World Cup next year featuring players aged over 40 from different countries.

Fawad Ijaz Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, said on Wednesday that the tournament will be played in Karachi from 23rd September to 8th October next year.

He also hoped that top Pakistani players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, and Younis Khan will also feature for the Pakistan team in the World Cup.

“The World Cup Over the 40s/50s Steering Committee announced the decision yesterday to give the hosting rights to Pakistan for the inaugural seniors over 40 Cricket World Cup. Mr. Fawad said it is a great honor for Pakistan to get the hosting rights when other Countries were also competing to host this Tournament,” he said.

Teams from Pakistan, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Canada, U.S.A, Zimbabwe, Wales, Namibia, and U.A.E are likely to take part in the tournament.

According to the statement issued by PVCA, the matches will be played of 45 overs each innings, and some of the matches will also be day/night matches. The matches played by Pakistan along with the semi-finals and the final will be live telecast.

Fawad Ijaz hoped that the Seniors World Cup will be a success as it will be Cricket fever in the world because of ODI World Cup to be played immediately after our World Cup from 15th October till 14th November next year in India.

He added that Pakistan will be the favorite to win this World Cup and hoped that star players who have turned over 40 like Shahid Afridi, Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, and Shoaib Malik will play in this tournament.