Asia XI vs World XI: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and others to represent Asia XI; Aamer Yamin unhappy with Pakistani players’ absence

Asia XI vs World XI: The Asia XI announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board comprises of six Indian players including captain Virat Kohli.

It was just after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England that a development regarding Indian players visiting Bangladesh to play two T20Is had been made public.

After the historic day-night Test match with the pink ball between India and Bangladesh in November, it was reported that India would send five players to Bangladesh.

Following many rumours and further developments, BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) have finally announced a 15-man squad which will represent the Asia XI.

While it was hopeful that the Indian players would take the field alongside their Pakistan counterparts in March 2020, the same won’t happen no Pakistani cricketer has been names in the Asia XI.

Bangladesh are organizing these T20Is to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahma.

Asia XI vs World XI

The 15-member squad consists of six Indian players, four Bangladeshi players, two Sri Lankan players, two Afghani players and one Nepali player.

The presence of India captain Virat Kohli in the Asia XI squad is the biggest upshot of the announcement. Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, wicket-keeper batsmen in Lokesh Rahul and Rishabh Pant, fast bowler Mohammed Shami and spinner Kuldeep Yadav are the other play Indian players who will travel to Bangladesh next month.

While Kohli and Rahul will only be available for one match, Kohli’s participation is subject to confirmation.

As far as the hosts are concerned, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, wicket-keeper batsmen in Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das and pacer Mustafizur Rahman will take the field in the iconic series.

While Sri Lanka T20I captain Lasith Malinga and all-rounder Thisara Perera will travel from the island nation, Afghanistan spinners in Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also mark their presence. Sensational Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will be the only player from his country.

Asia XI squad vs World XI

Pakistan all-rounder Aamer Yamin took to social media platform Twitter to announce displeasure regarding the absence of Pakistani players in the Asia XI.

“Jab Pakistan k players ni tou aisa eleven ni Pakistan players k bgair team achi ni lag rhi [No Asia XI without Pakistani players. The team isn’t looking good without Pakistani players.],” read Yamin’s tweet.

How Twitterati reacted:

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