The ICC World XI
After some unavoidable chopping and changing to the squad due to unforeseen injuries, the World XI still looks a decent outfit. Eoin Morgan was the last player to be ruled out, his fractured finger making in room for fellow Englishman Sam Billings. With him ruled out, captaincy got handed over to the charismatic Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, his flamboyant belligerence expected to add some colour to the side.
ICC World XI: Sam Billings, Shahid Afridi (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mitchell McClenaghan, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera, Luke Ronchi, Adil Rashid, Mohammed Shami, Tymal Mills, Sam Curran
The inclusion of Sandeep Lamichhane has only boosted his meteoric rise in the cricketing world as he will rub shoulders with some of the best representatives of the sport. It will a defining moment not only for him, but for the humble nation of Nepal as well after their dogged performance in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers.
Dinesh Karthik is finally getting his much coveted recognition in the international cricket arena, with his Nidahas Cup final heroics and impressive IPL campaign, both as skipper and finisher getting him a place in the side. With Indian wicket-keeper batsmen setting the stage alight with their performances, Karthik will see this as a great chance to get a one-up on his counterparts.
Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera, Luke Ronchi and Tamim Iqbal make for an imposing batting line-up with loads of experience being injected into the squad. Afridi, having been on the scene for a little over two decades, has rightly been made captain of a side batting for a cause, will ensure a great viewing for the spectators with his uber aggressive brand of cricket.
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