Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi recently named his all-time World Cup XI. However, the 2009 World T20 winner has left out a couple of big names from his team including the likes of India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan’s Imran Khan.
Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-getter in World Cups with 2278 runs to his name and has played in 6 tournaments. Tendulkar won the World Cup with the Indian team in 2011. Imran Khan-led Pakistan to their one and only World Cup win in 1992.
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Afridi named Saeed Anwar and Adam Gilchrist as his openers. Gilchrist has won 1999, 2003, and 2007 World Cup with the Australian team, while Anwar was part of the Pakistani World Cup teams in the same tournaments.
Ricky Ponting, who led Australia to back to back World Cup titles, came next on his list. In total, he captained the side in three World Cups - Australia won the trophy in 2003 and 2007.
Afridi then picked Virat Kohli, who has 1030 runs in 26 matches, while Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was part of the 1992 World Cup-winning team, was chosen next by Afridi.
South African Jacques Kallis was the sole all-rounder in Afridi's team as he ignored the legendary Imran Khan. Kallis is regarded as one of the best all-rounders across all formats and played in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
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Afridi named a strong pace attack including Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, and Shoaib Akhtar. Akram has 55 victims in the ICC event and was the Man of the Final in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup win. McGrath sits at the top of the list with 71 scalps in 39 matches. Akhtar meanwhile burst onto the scenes with terrific performances in the 1999 World Cup.
Shane Warne, who was the Man of the Match in the semi-finals and finals of the 1999 World Cup, which Australia won and Saqlain Mushtaq were named as the spinners in Afridi’s all-time World Cup XI.
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
