Ramiz Raja has more Indians than Pakistanis in his all-time XI
Former opener chose only one compatriot in his eleven
PHOTO: FILE
Cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja named one Pakistani, three Indians and Australians each and four West Indian players while revealing his all-time eleven on Tuesday.
The former Pakistan batsman chose the Indian pair of Virendar Sehwag and Sunil Gavaskar as his openers.
“Opening the innings for me is Virendar Sehwag, the greatest entertainer after Viv Richards and with him Sunil Gavaskar. [He was] very tight, very solid, [and has] over 10,000 Test runs; [I] played against him and absolutely loved his batting,” said Ramiz.
Richards made his place at the number three spot in Ramiz’s line-up.
“Again, played with him, [have a] lot of respect and you know he was way ahead of his time. Just a magnificent batsman,” he said.
At number four and five, Ramiz opted for Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and West Indian left-hand maestro Brian Lara.
“Obviously, records speak for the genius he [Sachin] was. Lara, fantastic batsman and absolutely brilliant against spin,” Ramiz said for the two.
Sir Garfield Sobers, another Caribbean cricketer made his way to the number six spot in Ramiz’s XI.
“An all-round cricketer, who was probably the best all-rounder cricketer who ever lived,” he said for Sobers.
After adding Adam Gilchrist as a wicketkeeper-batsman at number seven, Ramiz opted for Imran Khan as the captain of the team and the all-rounder for the team at number eight.
“You know [he was a] great athlete and I would have given him the captaincy as well. Because I played under him for about 10 years and he was a great captain,” Ramiz said of Imran.
The fast-bowlers selected by Ramiz for his eleven were West Indies’ Malcom Marshal and Australian Glenn McGrath. Moreover, the spinners spot went to the ‘deadly’ Shane Warne.
The former Pakistan batsman chose the Indian pair of Virendar Sehwag and Sunil Gavaskar as his openers.
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“Opening the innings for me is Virendar Sehwag, the greatest entertainer after Viv Richards and with him Sunil Gavaskar. [He was] very tight, very solid, [and has] over 10,000 Test runs; [I] played against him and absolutely loved his batting,” said Ramiz.
Richards made his place at the number three spot in Ramiz’s line-up.
“Again, played with him, [have a] lot of respect and you know he was way ahead of his time. Just a magnificent batsman,” he said.
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At number four and five, Ramiz opted for Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and West Indian left-hand maestro Brian Lara.
“Obviously, records speak for the genius he [Sachin] was. Lara, fantastic batsman and absolutely brilliant against spin,” Ramiz said for the two.
Sir Garfield Sobers, another Caribbean cricketer made his way to the number six spot in Ramiz’s XI.
“An all-round cricketer, who was probably the best all-rounder cricketer who ever lived,” he said for Sobers.
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After adding Adam Gilchrist as a wicketkeeper-batsman at number seven, Ramiz opted for Imran Khan as the captain of the team and the all-rounder for the team at number eight.
“You know [he was a] great athlete and I would have given him the captaincy as well. Because I played under him for about 10 years and he was a great captain,” Ramiz said of Imran.
The fast-bowlers selected by Ramiz for his eleven were West Indies’ Malcom Marshal and Australian Glenn McGrath. Moreover, the spinners spot went to the ‘deadly’ Shane Warne.