DUBAI: Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya have been named in the ICC Rest of the World XI to take on the Windies in the Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge at Lord’s on 31 May, reported ICC.
The addition of Karthik and Pandya takes the total number of players to have confirmed their participation to nine.
Eoin Morgan has been named the captain of the side, while the Pakistan duo of Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera, senior Bangladesh players Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, and star Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan are the others in the squad. More names are likely to be announced soon.
“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, said Giles Clarke, who is supporting the event.
“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.”
The fixture has been given international status and the proceeds from the encounter will go towards the restoration and renovation of five venues in the Caribbean – Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla, Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica, A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in BVI and Carib Lumber Ball Park in St Maarten – damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria to varying degrees late last year.
Karthik and Pandya have featured frequently in India’s limited-overs sides in recent times, with Pandya making his Test debut against South Africa in January this year.
Karthik, who made his international debut in 2004, most recently turned out for India in the T20 Tri-Series in Sri Lanka in March, where he scored 29 runs off eight balls in the final against Bangladesh to help India pull off a thrilling win.
The Windies have named a strong 13-man squad, including captain Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and the returning Andre Russell.
“I am delighted to captain the ICC World XI at Lord’s in May against the West Indies,” Morgan had said when he was named the captain of the side. “The cricket family always comes together to support worthwhile causes and this one-off T20I, featuring some of the best players in the world will be a great spectacle at the Home of Cricket.”
Windies squad: Carlos Brathwaite (c), Samuel Badree, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams
