Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik have been named in the ICC World XI team for the highly-anticipated Twenty20 International match against the West Indies at Lord’s on 31 May. The blockbuster match will be played to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean damaged by hurricanes last year.

England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has been shouldered with the responsibility to lead the World XI side which will also feature Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Thisara Perera and Rashid Khan. The remaining players will be revealed in the next few days.

Renowned cricket administrator Giles Clarke, who is supporting the event, greeted the inclusion of Pandya and Karthik, who are currently featuring in the cash-rich Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for fans of the Indian team to come out and watch these two flamboyant players, who bring both class and star value to what I’m sure will be a memorable match at Lord’s," Clarke quoted as saying by ICC in a statement.  

"People would remember Pandya’s valiant 43-ball 76 against Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy last year while Karthik too has played Test cricket at Lord’s. He has been in terrific form and recently blasted 29 off eight deliveries and sealed victory over Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy with a last-ball six," he added.

The West Indies side will be led by Carlos Brathwaite. The current World Twenty20 champions will also have Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell in their squad.

The venues that will benefit from this match are – Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla, the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica, the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in the British Virgin Islands and the Carib Lumber Ball Park in St. Maarten.

(With inputs from ICC)