Asia XI vs World XI: Controversy Over Pakistan Players

The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a two match T20 event where the Asia XI will be playing the World XI. The Asia XI vs World XI is to honour the 100th anniversary of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Read: Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and 4 more Indian players in Asia XI squad for T20s against World XI

Therefore, recently the BCB revealed the name of the Asia XI. The players included are six Indian players, four Bangladeshi players, and two players each from Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka.

The Indian players sent by the BCCI for this event are:

Virat Kohli
KL Rahul
Mohammad Shami
Rishabh Pant
Shikhar Dhawan
Kuldeep Yadav.

However, Kohli will only play one game out of two while his selection is still subject to confirmation. Rahul will only be playing one game as well.

Controversy over Asia XI squad

Now, following the release of this list, fans pointed out the absence of Pakistan players. On top of that, Jayesh George, the BCCI Joint Secretary has said that no Pakistan players have been invited for the series. Therefore, a situation where the two countries would come together or pick one over the other was not possible.

According to IANS, George said, “What we are aware of is that there will be no Pakistan players in the Asia XI. That is what the message is, so, there is no question of both countries coming together or picking one over the other.”

Pakistan Cricket Board steps forward

Fortunately, the Pakistan Cricket Board has come forward with an explanation for the Pakistan players’ absence. At the moment the Pakistan Super League is on-going and all players are busy with the league.

A spokesperson from the Pakistan Cricket Board came forward and said, “The T20Is between World XI and Asia XI were scheduled from March 16-20, while the PSL 2020 is likely to end on March 22.”

The spokesperson added that the dates of  neither series could be changed. Hence, they offered their regrets to the BCB, both verbally and in writing, which they understood and accepted.

Asia XI vs World XI squad

Asia squad:

Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das,  Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Thisara Perera, Mushfiqur Rahum, Sandeep Lamichhane, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Lasith Malinga, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

World squad:

Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, Faf du Plessis (c), Brendan Taylor, Nicholas Pooran, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell, Andrew Tye, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell McClenaghan.