The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that five Indian players will surely be available for Asia XI during the upcoming T20I series against Faf du Plessis led-World XI. The series will feature two games as Bangladesh will celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon, while addressing the media on Sunday (March 8), said that the board has finalized the schedule as well as the Asia XI squad. Speaking of Virat Kohli’s availability for these matches, Nazmul mentioned that there is confusion over India captain’s participation; however, he disclosed that KL Rahul would play one game in this series.
“Asia XI have been finalized. I got the list perfectly. There are 11 players in the World XI right now, 3 or 4 more players will make it 15. We’re waiting for Australian players. Other countries are fairly final. PSL (Pakistan Super League) is going on, so hopefully, we can finish within 1-2 days. We want cricketers to come from all countries, players from Australia as well. And that’s why we’re waiting. But 11 players have been confirmed,” Hassan was quoted saying as in bdcrictime.com.
Other than Kohli, all the Indians have been confirmed as Shikhar Dhawan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant will be available for both the matches against World XI.
The BCB President added: “Confusion is taking place with Virat Kohli. Rahul (Lokesh Rahul) will play a match on March 22. And the rest – Shikhar Dhawan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, and Rishabh Pant will all play both matches. KL Rahul will play one match. There was another thing, trying to play Virat Kohli. We’re still talking about this since we did not have confirmation, I cannot say for sure. Rahul will play surely. This confirmation has come.”
Earlier, it was reported that the two-match T20I series would take place on 18th and 21st March, but now, BCB has declared that the two games will happen on 21st and 22nd March.
Asia XI squad: KL Rahul (one game), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Liton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lasith Malinga, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Virat Kohli (TBC).
World XI squad: Alex Hales, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Ross Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, Kieron Pollard, Adil Rashid, Sheldon Cottrell, Lungi Ngidi, Andrew Tye, Mitchell McClenaghan.
