No Pakistani in Asia XI set to face World XI
LAHORE: No Pakistan player has been added to the Asia XI squad, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the side on Tuesday, which is scheduled to face the World XI side for two T20s in March to commemorate the birth centenary of the founder of the country Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The president of the BCB Nazmul Hassan had earlier stated that they were looking for the ‘best current cricketers’ for the sides. However no player from Pakistan was named in the squad.
The announced Asia XI squad has a packed roster comprising of different Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
India’s batsmen KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant along with fast-bowler Mohammad Shami and spinner Kuldeep Yadav were named in the Asia XI side.
Batsmen Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim along with fast-bowler Mustafizur Rahman have been selected from Bangladesh.
Two players each from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka were selected. Spinner Rashid Khan and Mujeebur Rahman from Afghanistan will be featuring in the team while all-rounder Thisara Perera and fast-bowler Lasith Malinga are the players selected from Sri Lanka.
Nepal will also have a presence in the Asia XI in the form of spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.
Meanwhile the World XI squad includes the likes of West Indies' Chris Gayle, England's Alex Hales and South Africa's Faf du Plessis as few of the prominent names.
The matches, which will be played in Bangladesh, have been given the official status by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Asia XI squad:
India: KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman.
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan, Mujeebur Rahman.
Sri Lanka: Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga.
Nepal: Sandeep Lamichhane.
World XI squad:
England: Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell
South Africa: Faf du Plessis, Lungi Ngidi
Australia: Andrew Tye
New Zealand: Mitchell McClenaghan
Zimbabwe: Brendon Taylor. - Agencies