Babar Azam picks his India-Pakistan T20I XI

Pakistan’s limited-overs captain and one of the finest batsman of the current generation, Babar Azam picked his combined India-Pakistan playing XI in T20I cricket as the elegant batsman picked six Indian players and five Pakistani to complete his lineup. 

During a chat with cricket commentator and analyst, Harsha Bhogle, Babar revealed his Indo-Pak T20I playing XI as he named himself along with Rohit Sharma as the openers of the side. Indian skipper Virat Kohli takes up the No. 3 spot, as expected with Shoaib Malik slotting in at No. 4. 

ALSO READ: We just want respect, equality: West Indies star Dwayne Bravo speaks up against racism

MS Dhoni, arguably India’s greatest ever captain and one of the finest gloveman, follows Malik at No. 5 with flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya taking up the No. 6 spot. Shadab Khan comes into Babar’s side as the second all-rounder with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Amir and Kuldeep Yadav completing the bowling line-up. 

Babar’s Indo-Pak XI looks quite balance with seven bowling options and a deep batting line-up complementing all departments of the game. The batting line-up has variety and experience with explosive batting of Hardik and Shadab down the order. 

ALSO READ: Tendulkar on use of second new ball in Tests; 'chalk & cheese' argument on saliva

While talking about Kohli, Babar heaped praise on the Indian skipper as he said: “He’s one of the best players. I’m still behind him. I’ll try to be as good as him and win matches for my country. Asian batsmen have the same technique and strokeplay. I guess some of our shots look similar,” he said.

Babar Azam's India-Pakistan combined T20I XI: Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Shoaib Malik, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Amir, Kuldeep Yadav.