Chopra tilts towards Pakistan players in combined Indo-Pak ODI XI

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Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has named his all-time Indo-Pak XI, including some of the best cricketers that have graced the game.   

Chopra’s lineup included 5 players from India and six from Pakistan.

While speaking during a video on his official Facebook page, Chopra decided to go with India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar and current opener Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.

“Without any doubt Sachin Tendulkar will open the innings,” said Chopra. “To partner him at the top, I had many options such as Saeed Anwar, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag but I have decided to go with Rohit Sharma.”

The third and fourth positions were occupied by Indian captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan legend Javed Miandad.

“At number three I have gone in with Virat Kohli, which is pretty obvious,” he said. “After him I will go with Javed Miandad, who made life difficult for every team, including India, with his batting skills.”

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Former captains Inzamamul Haq and Mahendra Singh Dhoni occupied the fifth and sixth spots in the lineup.

“Inzamam will come in after Miandad. Although we gave the title of ‘Sultan of Multan’ to Sehwag but Inzamam was the real ‘Sultan of Multan’. He was an absolute run away match-winner,” he said. “At number six I will go for wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni.”  

1983 and 1992 World Cup winning captains, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, respectively, were also included in the playing XI.  

“The current prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, is the captain of my side,” he added. “I have included Kapil Dev at number eight which showcases the depth of batting and makes me confident that this side can beat any team in the world.”

Chopra also named a potent bowling attack to complement the strong batting department.

“I would include Wasim Akram as one of my three proper bowlers,” he said. “Also Waqar Younis is also part of my side because he was a top-class bowler. The only spinner I have picked is Saqlain Mushtaq although Harbhajan Singh was also in contention.”

“I wanted to include another player, Yuvraj Singh, who was a good finisher, fantastic fielder and could bowl as well but I couldn’t, which is why he is the 12^th man in my side,” he concluded.

 Aakash Chopra’s all-time Indo-Pak ODI XI:

Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Javed Miandad, Inzamamul Haq, MS Dhoni (wk), Imran Khan (c), Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Yuvraj Singh (12th Man)