All-time greatest ODI left-handed XI from Asia

It may not be far-fetched to claim that Asia is the spiritual hub of ODI cricket. The likes of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka occupy three of the top four places in the list of teams with most ODI appearances. Despite their relatively late entrance into the club, even Bangladesh have played as many as 335 matches thus far. Among all three formats of the game, they appear most comfortable in the 50-over version.

In this particular segment, let us try and assemble a star-studded lineup comprising only left-handed cricketers. While specialist batsmen vying for places must be left-handers, their bowling counterparts have to be left-armers. Only for all-rounders, both criteria are factored into account in order to hone in on the best southpaws. Statistics for all active cricketers are accurate as of 3rd January, 2018.

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#5 Openers

Sanath Jayasuriya and Saeed Anwar were among the most feared openers during the 1990s

For his impressive all-round skills, Sanath Jayasuriya is almost a certain starter in most all-time ODI XIs. One of the preeminent pioneers in taking the attack to the bowlers right from the outset, the Sri Lankan stalwart was a major draw-card during the 1990s and early 2000s. From a whopping 445 ODIs, the left-hander amassed 13430 runs at an average of 32.36 and strike-rate of 91.20 with 28 centuries and 68 fifties. 323 wickets at an economy-rate of 4.78 vindicate his prowess with the ball as well.

Selecting Jayasuriya's opening partner was a tricky task. Remorseless accumulators of runs like Gautam Gambhir and dynamic operators such as Shikhar Dhawan have solid cases for entering the equation. However, Saeed Anwar gets the nod for his remarkable track record on tougher pitches and against more challenging bowling attacks. The stylish stroke-maker from Pakistan played 247 ODIs and scored 8824 runs at an average of 39.21 and strike-rate of 80.67 with 20 centuries and 43 fifties.

#4 Middle-order

Apart from occupying the vital number three spot, Sourav Ganguly also captains the dream team

Although he made his name as a steadfast opening batsman in ODIs during the vast majority of his playing career, Sourav Ganguly comes in at number three in this particular batting lineup. The left-hander's penchant for manipulating the field helped him score 11,363 runs from 311 matches at an average of 41.02 and strike-rate of 73.70 with 22 centuries as well as 72 fifties. His bold leadership skills and stellar record at the helm of an enterprising Indian team make him an excellent choice for captain.

When he is in the groove, there are not many better at timing the ball than Yuvraj Singh. The southpaw's ability to find the boundary with consummate ease and pile pressure on opposition bowlers has seen him establish himself as one of the biggest match-winners in India's limited-overs history. He has played 304 ODIs and notched 8701 runs at an average of 36.55 and strike-rate of 87.67 with 14 centuries as well as 52 fifties. His tally of 111 wickets at an economy-rate of 5.10 shows his capacity to add depth to the spin department.

The number five position in any batting lineup becomes a key link to the top-order and the lower-order. While Arjuna Ranatunga also makes a robust case for completing the middle-order, Suresh Raina gets the nod due to his uncanny knack of coming up with significant contributions at different stages of the game. From 223 ODIs thus far, the 31-year old has scored 5568 runs at an average of 35.46 and strike-rate of 93.76 with five centuries and 36 fifties.

#3 Wicket-keeeper and All-rounders

Kumar Sangakkara and Shakib Al Hasan lend enormous balance to the playing eleven

Aside from donning the wicket-keeping gloves, Kumar Sangakkara walks into the team at the number four spot in the batting lineup. With a jaw-dropping collection of 14,234 runs from 404 ODIs at an average of 41.98 and strike-rate of 78.86, the Sri Lankan maestro is second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the list of all-time run-scorers in the 50-over format. Apart from registering 25 centuries and 93 fifties, the legendary cricketer also effected a record 482 dismissals behind the stumps.

That Shakib Al Hasan saunters into the batting lineup at number seven speaks volumes about the incredible batting depth in this left-handed dream team from Asia. Unarguably the greatest ever spin bowling all-rounder in the history of ODI cricket, the Bangladeshi icon has played 180 matches thus far and scored 5080 runs at an average of 34.79 and strike-rate of 81 with seven centuries and 35 fifties. In the bowling department, his tally of 226 wickets at an average of 29.95 and economy-rate of 4.44 puts him at third among all left-arm spinners.

When he burst onto the scene in the 2003/04 season, Irfan Pathan instantly began to evoke comparisons with the exalted Kapil Dev. Even though he did not quite live up to those lofty expectations, the southpaw provided many memorable moments to Indian cricket aficionados. 120 ODIs have fetched him 173 scalps at an average of 29.72 and economy-rate of 5.26 with two five-wicket hauls. The left-hander also scored 1544 runs at a decent average of 23.39 with five fifties.

#2 Fast Bowlers

Wasim Akram spearheads a strong pace bowling attack

With 502 wickets from 356 ODIs at an average of 23.52 and economy-rate of 3.89, Wasim Akram remains the most prolific fast bowler in the history of the 50-over format. The left-armer's impeccable capacity to swing the new ball and reverse the older one at sharp pace enabled him to garner six five-wicket hauls. 3717 runs at a handy strike-rate of 88.33 stand as testament to his explosiveness with the bat as well.

Often finding himself as the sole reliable custodian of Sri Lanka's pace attack, Chaminda Vaas rarely let his country down and tirelessly delivered probing spells on a consistent basis. While he did not possess eye-catching pace, the southpaw's immaculate control and smart use of various angles helped him procure 400 scalps from 322 ODIs at an average of 27.53 and economy-rate of 4.18 with 4 five-wicket hauls. As evidenced by a tally of more than 2000 runs, he could also chip in with the bat.

Zaheer Khan completes a potent pace attack in the all-time left-handed Asian XI. His profound knowledge on the intricacies of various situations played an instrumental role in India's euphoric campaign in the 2011 World Cup. In a memorable career spanning from 2000 to 2012, the wily seamer played 200 ODIs and snared 282 wickets at an average of 29.43 and economy-rate of 4.93.

#1 12th Man and Full Team

Ravindra Jadeja can replace Irfan Pathan on spin-friendly pitches

As with any all-time XI, selecting a 12th man is imperative in order to provide the team with an additional option on different types of pitches. While he may have lost his place in the Indian team to a wrist-spinner, Ravindra Jadeja's ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game sees him seal the reserve slot.

From 136 ODIs thus far, Jadeja has scored 1914 runs at an average of 31.37 and strike-rate of 85.29 with 10 fifties. The left-arm spinner has picked 155 wickets at an average of 35.87 and economy-rate of 4.90 with a solitary five-wicket haul. In cases of turning tracks, he can gain entry into the playing eleven at the expense of Irfan Pathan.

While India have as many as six representatives (including the 12th man) in this particular lineup, three Sri Lankan players and two cricketers from Pakistan help form a star-studded team. Bangladesh have only one representative in the form of Shakib Al Hasan.

Full Team (in batting order): Sanath Jayasuriya, Saeed Anwar, Sourav Ganguly (c), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Shakib Al Hasan, Irfan Pathan, Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas and Zaheer Khan

12th Man: Ravindra Jadeja