Aakash Chopra names combined Indo-Pak all-time Test XI

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Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has named his all-time combined Indo-Pak XI, which includes four cricketers from Pakistan and seven from India.

Chopra admitted that selecting players from these two countries was a difficult task due to the quality of cricketers, on both sides of the border, they have produced over the course of history.  

“I wanted to do a fun exercise today by selecting the combined all-time Test XI of Pakistan and India, although it was a very difficult task,” said Chopra in a video on, social media website, Facebook. “One thing that we will all agree, before moving on, that the team will give more preference to Indian batsmen and Pakistan bowlers.”

He started by picking couple of India’s finest openers at the top of the order.

“There is no doubt that Sunil Gavaskar will be one of the openers as his presence is absolutely mandatory,” he said. “I would partner him with Virender Sehwag because he scored two triple centuries in Test cricket which is quite an achievement.”

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Chopra packed the middle-order with four all-time batting greats.

“At third and fourth position, I would include Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar,” he said. “At fifth and sixth position, although they are both playing out of position but deserve a place in the XI, are Inzamamul Haq and Javed Miandad.”

“For the wicketkeeper spot I will pick MS Dhoni. Although we can consider Dravid as well but I don’t want to make a batsman playing at one-down to keep the wickets,” he added.

To further increase the potency of the XI, Chopra included legendary all-rounders Imran Khan and Kapil Dev in his lineup.

“At number eight and nine, I will pick Kapil Dev and Imran Khan. Imran will also be the captain of my side,” he said.

Chopra capped off his team by including Pakistan’s fast-bowling great Wasim Akram and India’s legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

“It is 100 per cent certain that Wasim Akram will be part of this lineup and he slots in at number 10,” he said. “With over 600 wickets, I will include leg-spinner Anil Kumble as the final player in my team.” 

“It is hard to keep Waqar Younis out of this XI but I will definitely include him as my 12^th man,” he concluded.