Wasim Akram names his all-time best combined India-Pakistan XI, ignores some big names

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram is in India for the 2023 ODI World Cup as a commentator. The 57-year-old was recently in conversation with Fox Cricket giving his views. The biggest game of the 2023 ODI World Cup is to be played on the 14^th of October, 2023.

Every time there is an India versus Pakistan encounter, the inevitable question of a fantasy combined XI crops up. Wasim Akram too named one such combined fantasy XI of both sides.

The former Pakistan captain left out a few big names and some of the current superstars. Virat Kohli is one of the two players from the current era who found a place in this unique India and Pakistan XI.

Wasim Akram (source-twitter)

Power-packed fantasy team named by Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram the former Pakistan skipper was recently in conversation with FOX Cricket. The pace bowling legend picked his combined India- Pakistan XI. For the opening slot, the 57-year-old picked Saeed Anwar and Virender Sehwag.

The likes of Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar, Inzamam-Ul-Haq, and Zaheer Abbas did not find a place in the team. Wasim Akram slotted batting legend Sachin Tendulkar at number three. Former Pakistani skipper Javed Miandad was named at number four.

Former India skipper Virat Kohli was pencilled in at number five. Imran Khan and Kapil Dev bat at numbers six and seven with Imran Khan named the skipper. MS Dhoni bats at number eight and was named the wicket-keeper of the side.

Curiously Wasim Akram did not name himself in the combined India-Pakistan playing XI. The bowling attack consisted of Saqlain Mushtaq, Jasprit Bumrah, and Waqar Younis. The likes of Zaheer Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and many more were ignored.

India and Pakistan will clash for the eighth time during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The last time the two teams played each other was during the Asia Cup 2023 tournament. India had beaten Pakistan by a massive 228-run margin.

KL Rahul and Virat Kohli had scored unbeaten centuries. Kuldeep Yadav had picked his second ODI fifer with the ball as India went on to win the tournament. This is the first time in seven years that Pakistan is playing cricket in India.

Wasim Akram’s combined India-Pakistan XI -

Saeed Anwar, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad, Virat Kohli, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, Saqlain Mushtaq, Jasprit Bumrah, and Waqar Younis.