"The centrally contracted players were given permission for participation in the CPL and English county season subject to recall if the World XI series took place mid September, they are now being recalled owing to the changes in schedule brought about due to the change in the original World XI tour of Pakistan plan," PCB stated in a media release.

During its annual meeting in June this year, the International Cricket Council had confirmed sending a World XI side for a three-match Twenty20 series to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, as a move to resume top flight cricket in Pakistan.

The original plan was for the series to conclude in the last week of September. However, constituency elections on September 17 and also Pakistan's series against Sri Lanka in UAE that starts on September 24 and the adequate preparation time needed for it, has forced the World Series to be rescheduled.

"The series has been brought forward to mid September instead of last week of September because the Punjab Government wants it to be held before the NA120 election on September 17. It can't be held after September 17 because there is no time to both hold the series and also give National Coach Mickey Arthur time for training the team before the series starts with Sri Lanka on September 24," the release added.

The players will now have to report to Pakistan chief coach Arthur for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy on August 22, followed by a pre-series training camp, conducted by the Pakistan team management, ahead of the ICC World XI T20 matches.