Gavaskar, Raja pick their combined Indo-Pak Test, ODI XIs

Legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar and famous Pakistan cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja selected their combined India-Pakistan Test and One-day International (ODI) XIs, respectively, on the Sony Ten show Pit Stop, which was streamed live on the network’s Facebook page on Saturday.

Gavaskar first picked his opening combination, which comprised of the swashbuckling Virender Sehwag and the original little master, Hanif Mohammad. Duo are the first triple-centurion in Tests for their respective countries.

The 70-year-old chose the ‘Asian Bradman’ Zaheer Abbas for the number three spot, followed by Indian batting maestros Sachin Tendulkar and Gundappa Viswanath. Gavaskar also decided to include two of the most successful all-rounders, Imran Khan and Kapil Dev, in his side.

While Gavaskar picked Syed Kirmani as the wicketkeeper in his team, his bowling attack comprised of legends like Wasim Akram, B.S. Chandrasekhar and Abdul Qadir.

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Meanwhile, Raja decided to go primarily with all Indian batsmen in his line-up. Leg-spinner Anil Kumble was the only Indian in his bowling attack dominated by Pakistani pacers Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

"I briefly discussed this with my son. It's a massive situation to be in, how to assemble a star caste of some giants of the game. But he said no it's very simple, you have Pakistan bowlers and Indian batsmen in the line-up and you get a fantastic India-Pakistan XI," Raja said.

The 57-year-old chose the 1992 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan to lead his side.

Gavaskar’s XI: Hanif Mohammad, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Abbas, Sachin Tendulkar, Gundappa Viswanath, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Syed Kirmani, Wasim Akram, Abdul Qadir, B.S. Chandrasekhar

Raja’s XI: Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Anil Kumble, Saqlain Mushtaq