Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik to play alongside Indian players

All those who wanted to see both Indian and Pakistani players play a cricket match together, they will get to soon see a match with players of both the countries in much awaited ICC World XI.

As the International Cricket Council (ICC) rolls out its squad for the much anticipated ICC World XI versus West Indies Twenty20, Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik have joined the squad. The Indian duo have joined Pakistan’s stars Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik for the match to be played at the historic Lord’s on 31 May, revealed ICC.

The match is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean damaged by hurricanes last year. The ICC World XI is led by England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan with Bangladesh’s superstar Shakibal Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera and Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan the other confirmed names in the list of nine so far.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for fans of the Indian team to come out and watch these two flamboyant players, who bring both class and star value to what I’m sure will be a memorable match at Lord’s,” said ECB chief Giles Clarke.

“People would remember Pandya’s valiant 43-ball 76 against Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy last year while Karthik too has played Test cricket at Lord’s. He has been in terrific form and recently blasted 29 off eight deliveries and sealed victory over Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy with a last-ball six,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Windies are being led by Carlos Brathwaite, also featuring star big-hitting opener Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell among others.