Virat Kohli, Gayle, Bairstow named in the squad for the Asia XI vs World XI matches

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the Asia XI squad for the two International matches between Asia XI vs World XI to be played in Dhaka next month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) put an end to the speculations as it has released the list of six Indian players who will be participating in this event. 

The six names included are Captain Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Shami who have got a place in the Asia XI squad. In form, KL Rahul will be available for one match while Virat Kohli’s availability is still tentative. BCB has made it clear that Kohli’s selection is subject to confirmation. Workload management remains an issue with Kohli in particular, with India having a packed schedule. The 19 years old leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has also been included into the Asia XI squad. 

Bangladesh Cricket Board is hosting this event to commemorate the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding father. On his 100th birth anniversary, both the exhibition matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on March 18 & 21.  BCB President Nazmul Hassan also announced the list of the players who will represent the World XI squad. Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Rashid Khan and Jonny Bairstow are amongst those who will be representing World XI team. No Australian has been included into the World XI team. 

The Probables

The Asia XI: KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (not confirmed), Shikhar Dhawan, Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Rishabh Pant, Mushfiqur Rahim, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lasith Malinga, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mujeeb ur Rahman.

World XI: Alex Hales, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis (C), Nicholas Pooran, Ross Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, Kieron Pollard, Adil Rashid, Sheldon Cottrell, Lungi Ngidi, Andrew Tye, Mitchell McClenaghan