One year before World Cup 2019: The strongest ODI XI 

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With less than ten months to go to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, all the participating teams have their targets set on glory. While the favourite nations are already busy strategising plans on how to be the best of the lot, the underdogs too are leaving no stone unturned.

As is the case each year, every team has its hopes pinned on a few of its marquee players, who are expected to bring their best game to the fore and play a crucial role in taking their team forward in the competition.

Thanks to some brilliant performances by these supremely talented cricketers, most of the games have witnessed cut-throat battles, with no team giving away anything. That said, considering the uncertainties prevalent in cricket, it would be too early to affirm that these superstars will be the competition's crusaders next year. However, hypothetically, if the World Cup were to take place now, here's an assemblage of the best players going around currently, who would forge a formidable lineup.


Fakhar Zaman (PAK)

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Fakhar Zaman has battered the Zimbabweans in the recent ODI series

Pakistan's dashing opener has set the cricketing fraternity ablaze with his recent heroics against Zimbabwe. From scoring a breathtaking double century to becoming the fastest batsman to reach 1000 runs in ODIs, Fakhar Zaman has been making the headlines for all the right reasons. Ever since his match-winning hundred against India in last year's Champion Trophy, the southpaw has been a key component of the men in green and comes as a major threat to any opposition, once he finds his rhythm.

Jonny Bairstow (ENG)

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Jonny Bairstow has turned into a vital cog of England's ODI setup

Jonny Bairstow's blistering strokeplay has instated an all-new potency to England's batting contingent. Putting the suspicions of his ability to score quickly in the shorter formats to a rest, Bairstow has turned into one of England's strongest assets in the ODI and T20 formats. Scoring hundreds at will, the Englishman currently stands as the highest run scorer in ODIs for 2018. In combination with Fakhar Zaman, the right-hander would forge a solid opening pair that is capable of taking the game away from the opposition right from the word go.

Virat Kohli (C) (IND)

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Virat Kohli has emerged as one of the greatest ODI players of all time

Standing as one of the finest cricketers of all time, Virat Kohli's selection into the team comes as a no-brainer. India's skipper has been in top form for the past few years and has been busy breaking records left, right and centre. Contrary to many other batsmen from sub-continent, Kohli has been one of those few players who have been able to perform well in overseas conditions as well. With an incredible ability to absorb any situation of the game, the man from Delhi would certainly be the team's batting mainstay.

Joe Root (ENG)

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Joe Root has been England's premier batsman in the past few years

Joe Root played a crucial role in helping England beat India in the recently concluded ODI series. The Yorkshireman's back-to-back centuries in the final two games of the series got him over his brief period of dearth and put him back into the thick of things once again. Root currently stands as the second highest run-getter in the ODIs for 2018 and has revamped his repertoire with several enterprising shots that have been helping him to score quickly. Given his dream run in England. the man would provide a solid presence when out in the middle.

Babar Azam (PAK)

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Babar Azam is one of Pakistan's brightest prospects

Equipped with a decent technique and classy strokeplay, Babar Azam burst onto the international as a young bright prospect for Pakistan. Over the years, the 23-year-old has broken numerous records and grown into a vital part of his country's cricketing setup. From the consecutive hundreds against West Indies in 2016 or his recent match-winning knocks against Zimbabwe, Azam has stood tall for the men in green on several occasions. With a calm head on shoulders, this talented batsman would complement the likes of Virat Kohli and Joe Root perfectly in the middle order.

Jos Buttler (WK) (ENG)

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Jos Buttler has stood as England's man for the crisis

Be it for displaying a maturity in times of adversity or blazing away at the end of an innings, Jos Buttler is one player who possesses several dimensions to his batting. The 27-year-old has been one of England's superstars in the recent past and is one of the prime reasons for the team's tremendous run of form in the shorter forms of the game. Buttler is also swift on his behind the stumps. He is agile, acrobatic and boasts of a safe pair of hands, making him one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen going around currently.

Shakib Al Hasan (BAN)

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Shakib Al Hasan continues to remain Bangladesh's biggest superstar

Continuing to impress with both bat and ball in all formats of the game, Shakib Al Hasan remains busy in scripting his legend for Bangladesh. Having played in numerous leagues across the world, the all-rounder would bring an unparalleled experience to the table. From scoring crucial runs down the order to picking up timely wickets when needed, the Bangladeshi player comes as a blessing to any captain. The southpaw has been in decent form off-late and would be a smart addition to any squad for limited overs.

Rashid Khan (AFG)

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Rashid Khan is currently a force to reckon with in international cricket

Bamboozling the batsmen with his wily spin bowling, Rashid Khan has fast emerged as a major force to reckon with in international cricket. Playing a crucial role in helping Afghanistan take major strides, Khan has made a name for himself as a supremely talented cricketer. In addition to his bewildering leg breaks, the 19-year-old also packs a punch with the bat and is a livewire on the field, making him the much-required X-factor to any team's arsenal.

Hasan Ali

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Hasan Ali is carrying forward Pakistan's rich legacy of fast bowling

Fast, explosive, and hostile, Hasan Ali possesses all the right attributes expected of a successful fast bowler. Ever since his dream run in the Champions Trophy last year, the right-arm quickie has grown into an important component of Pakistan's pace battery. Coming into play during the middle and death overs predominantly, Ali's ability to hit the deck hard and also, extract any reverse swing on offer, has reaped great results in pace-friendly conditions. The youngster is certainly one of the most sought-after pacers in the world currently.

Trent Boult (NZ)

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Trent Boult leads the pace pack for the Kiwis in ODIs

With a swift bowling action, which appears to be loaded with sound technicalities, Trent Boult is one of the best left-arm fast bowlers in the world currently. Boult, in addition to his immaculate lines and lengths, owns a rare quality of being able to swing the ball both ways and would be a more than handy customer in the seam-friendly conditions of England. The paceman, with all his yorkers and changes of pace, is usually economical and more often than not, succeeds in choking the run-flow at the death.

Jasprit Bumrah

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Jasprit Bumrah has impressed one and all with his exceptional bowling talent

Be it for making early inroads, breaking a flourishing partnership in the middle of an innings, or restricting the runs at the death, Jasprit Bumrah has made himself stand as the right choice for any captain. The Indian speedster has impressed one and all with his exceptional bowling talent and has been making rapid progress in his career. With an unorthodox bowling action and raw pace that can, at times, catch the batsmen napping, Bumrah possesses a wide range of tactics in his arms and is certainly a tough customer to deal with.

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Edited by Amar Anand