Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi recently got involved in an Instagram Live session with news anchor Sana Bucha.
During the interaction, Afridi talked about his daily routine in lockdown, the impact of COVID-19 and topics related to cricket. In the meantime, he also picked his all-time World Cup XI in which he snubbed some of the big players like Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan and many others, who hold several records in the marquee event that are simply impossible to break for any cricketer.
Afridi named Saeed Anwar and Adam Gilchrist as two openers of his team. Anwar scored 915 runs in 21 World Cup matches while Gilchrist scored 1085 runs in 31 games. Ricky Ponting, who led Australia to back to back World Cup titles, was picked for No. 3 position. In total, Ponting captained Australia in three World Cups – the Aussies clinched the title in 2003 and 2007.
Virat Kohli, who is the lone Indian in Afridi’s all-time World Cup XI, came in next. The Indian talisman has so far scored 1030 runs in 26 matches across three World Cups. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq also found a place in Afridi’s line-up. Inzy was a member of the 1992 World Cup-winning team.
Jacques Kallis was the lone all-rounder in Afridi’s team as he ignored Imran Khan. Kallis is regarded as one of the best all-rounders across all formats.
Afridi named a strong pace attack including Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and Shoaib Akhtar. With 55 wickets, Akram is fourth-highest wicket-taker in the 50-over tournament. McGrath sits at the top of the list with 71 scalps in 39 matches. Akhtar, who retired after the 2011 World Cup, claimed 30 wickets in 19 matches.
Shane Warne and Saqlain Mushtaq were two spinners in Afridi’s XI. They scalped 32 and 23 wickets in ODI World Cups, respectively.
Shahid Afridi’s all-time World Cup XI:
Saeed Anwar, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Inzamam ul-Haq, Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq
