ODI XI if India, Pakistan and Bangladesh reunite

Fifth ODI: Pakistan v India
What will the playing XI be if India, Pakistan and Bangladesh reunite?

Cricket is the most popular sport throughout the subcontinent.

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have produced many cricketing legends who have gone on to achieve greatness. They are arch-rivals when it comes to the game of cricket but also share a common and unparalleled love for the game. Throughout their rich cricketing history, there have been moments of individual brilliance from the players of these nations. However, despite individual brilliance, the teams as a whole have often failed. This is perhaps the main reason why they have underperformed, especially on overseas tours.

Have you ever thought about what the ODI XI would look like if India, Pakistan and Bangladesh reunite now? Well, let us have a look:


#11 Mohammad Amir

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Final
Mohammad Amir will open with the new ball

Mohammad Amir will lead the bowling attack. He would prove to be a tough nut to crack for the batsmen at the start with his quick, mean left-arm pace bowling. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways at pace and a player like him is a luxury for any captain.

His fiery spells would set the tone for the rest of the match and would help the team pick up early wickets. He would also be helpful at the death with his pin-point yorkers.

#10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy
Bhuvneshwar is special with the new ball

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will share the new ball with Mohammad Amir. He is the perfect foil for Amir with his ability to swing the ball both ways. His deliveries come on to the batsmen quicker than they expect it to and he hurries them into false strokes with the pace he generates off the pitch.

Kumar picks a lot of wickets up front. Recently, he has added a bit of pace to his bowling which makes him even more lethal with the new ball and he will be a great asset for the team.


#9 Jasprit Bumrah

India v South Africa - ICC Twenty20 World Cup Warm Up
Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will complete the pace attack. He has evolved as a bowler ever since his debut and is currently considered one of the best bowlers at the death.

Bumrah has taken giant strides in world cricket and is currently India's most reliable bowler in limited overs cricket. He offers something unique with his unusual action and would be an ideal bowler to come in after Amir and Kumar.

He is a genuine wicket-taker who can turn the game on its head by picking up wickets at crucial stages of the game.

#8 Yasir Shah

Pakistan Nets Session
Yasir Shah will lead the spin attack

In this day and age, wrist spinners have become a necessity for any bowling attack in limited overs cricket with batsmen looking to maximize every scoring opportunity.

Yasir Shah is a proven match winner. He can prodigiously spin his leg break and googly but the flipper is his most potent weapon.

Yasir would lead the spin department of the side and help provide breakthroughs in the middle overs with his variety.


#7 Imad Wasim

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Final
Imad will bat at number seven

Imad Wasim will be the all-rounder in the side. He can provide incredible balance to the team's composition, playing the role of a dynamic finisher, with his explosive hitting. He is also more than handy with the ball.

Imad is tremendously accurate with his left-arm orthodox bowling and the arm ball is his most lethal weapon. He has the ability to stem the flow of runs when the batsmen look to attack and would be ideal for the number seven slot in this side.

#6 Shakib-Al-Hasan

Bangladesh v Australia - ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014
Shakib-Al-Hasan will bat at number six

Shakib-Al-Hasan is arguably the greatest cricketer Bangladesh have ever produced. He is ideal for the number six position with his prowess with the bat. He can provide the finishing touches to the team's score but he also has the ability build an innings.

Shakib is more than handy with the ball as well. He is economical and can also pick wickets in the middle overs. He also adds variety to the attack with his left-arm orthodox spin bowling.


#5 MS Dhoni (Capt & Wicket Keeper)

New Zealand v India - ODI: Game 4
MS Dhoni will lead the side

MS Dhoni is the right choice to captain the side. He is a tactical mastermind who has led India to many cricketing glories.

Dhoni is a match winner with the bat, something he has proven time and again. He will play the role of an architect in the middle order, enabling the team to amass big scores.

Dhoni will also be the wicket-keeper of the side because of his agility behind the stumps and ability to effect quick stumpings.

#4 Mahmudullah

Bangladesh v New Zealand - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup
Mahmudullah is class personified

Mahmudullah is a technically sound batsman who will ply his trade at number four in the side. He has a wide range of strokes and knows how to build an innings. He has a calm head on his shoulders and is suitable for the number four position.

He is a class player who has the special ability to pierce gaps in the field. He can absorb pressure and then attack when the time is right.


#3 Virat Kohli (Vice-Captain)

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016: Semi-Final: West Indies v India
Virat Kohli will bat at three

Virat Kohli's inclusion in this side is a no-brainer. He is arguably the best batsman in the world right now and is tailor-made for the number three position. He has the ability to find gaps in the field and mix attack with defence quite well.

He will play the role of an anchor in this side and guide the team to some big scores. Moreover, his mastery during run chases would be especially useful for the team.

Kohli recently has proven his worth as a captain but he still has a lot to learn and hence will only be the vice-captain of this side.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Australia v India - Game 3
Shikhar Dhawan can provide electrifying starts

Shikhar Dhawan will be tasked with opening the batting and making effective use of the powerplay. A left-handed option at the top of the order is always useful to unsettle bowling attacks.

Dhawan is known for his immaculate timing and diverse shot-making, especially through the cover region. He also has the wonderful ability to convert starts into big scores and so, he could turn out to be more than handy for the team at the top.


#1 Rohit Sharma

Australia v India: Carlton Mid ODI Tri Series - Game 2
Rohit Sharma will open for the side

Opening the batting with Shikhar Dhawan will be Rohit Sharma. He can dismantle any bowling attack on his day, and is particularly harsh against the short ball. He takes his time at the start of the innings but once he gets in, he toys with the bowlers.

His prowess with the bat at the start of the innings would help propel this team to huge scores, building a solid platform for the middle and lower order to capitalize on.

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