Peshawar Zalmi captain and experienced Pakistani batsman Babar Azam has recently selected the world’s best ODI XI and has not selected even a single Indian player. He ignored famous Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while also sidelining Jasprit Bumrah.
Currently, T20 fever is taking over the cricket world, but soon after the franchise leagues end, teams around the world will turn their attention to the longer format of white-ball cricket. Every team will be preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Along with legendary Pakistan batsman Babar Azam, who led his team Peshawar Zalmi to the final of this edition of PSL, he was with Zalmi Media for a video session and was asked to pick the best World ODI XI as per his opinion.
Babar Azam picks 0 Indians in ODI World XI
The surprising thing is that the former Pakistan captain did not choose two of the greatest ODI cricketers of the modern generation just because they are players of Indian origin. It seemed that prejudice was at the forefront.
Babar Azam left out two of the world’s greatest white-ball cricketers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as he picked Mitchell Marsh at the top of the order and then Aiden Markram at number one. 3 position. He also dropped Jasprit Bumrah from one spot and instead chose his Pakistani teammate to pair with South African great Kagiso Rabada and English fast bowler Jofra Archer.
Babar Azam’s ODI XI: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Aiden Markram, Mohammad Rizwan, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook, Mitchell Santner, Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada.
Babar Azam makes fun of himself after playing the role of 12th player in World ODI XI
However, leaving out the Indian players did not seem as big an insult as not selecting themselves in the playing eleven. Instead, he selected himself as the 12th man in the ODI XI.
Although it may have been out of humility that he did not select himself, it seems that he was not confident about his recent form in international cricket and performances in ICC tournaments and hence decided not to be a part of their ODI XI.
Instead he chose the wicket-keeper batsman and his batting partner Mohammad Rizwan in the eleven, as he placed him in the middle order along with players like Rachin Ravindra and Harry Brook.
Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi eye first PSL title as captain
Babar Azam has been a part of the Pakistan Super League for several seasons, and has played for Peshawar Zalmi for most of his career. However, he has never won a PSL title with the franchise.
If Zalmi reaches the final, they will be eyeing their second title and Babar Azam will be eyeing his first title as the captain of Peshawar Zalmi team. He has also scored 500+ runs in the PSL this season and is close to 600 runs. In the final they will face the first-time team Hyderabad Kingsmen.
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