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MS Dhoni and his predecessor Virat Kohli found a place amongst 6 Indians included in Pakistan limited-overs’ captain Babar Azam’s combined India-Pakistan T20I XI. The playing XI picked up by Babar Azam consists of 6 Indian cricketers and 5 from Pakistan, in what looks like a formidable unit.
MS Dhoni might have lost touch, but he is still considered as the finest finishers of the game besides Michael Bevan. He also has a cool glovework and reads the game fine, which comes as an added bonus in his presence. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has been a run-scoring machine and the leading run-scorers in the shortest format.
Babar Azam picked himself and leading Indian opener, Rohit Sharma, as the opener of the side. Adding Star Batsman at one down position Indian captain Virat Kohli with veteran Shoaib Malik and MS Dhoni to follow down the order.
Hardik Pandya and Shadab Khan have been picked up as the all-rounders for the side. Surprisingly, Azam has picked up 3 fast bowlers and one spinner in his team.
Rising young fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will accompany premier pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Amir in the side. Bumrah is among the finest fast bowlers in the international circuit at present, with Amir missing out on the central contract just recently. He still remains of the finest quicks of the game. Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has flourished for India across formats, is the only spinner in his team.
Babar Azam’s India-Pakistan combined XI:
Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Shoaib Malik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Amir, Kuldeep Yadav.
