Pakistan vs World XI: Why Pakistan fans miss cricket superstars Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni

[hadi123]

Pakistan is all set to host the landmark series which marks the return of international cricket in the country. The Pakistan national team will take on an ICC World XI in a three-match T20I series granted international status starting Tuesday, and the entire nation is caught in frenzy. The presence of a Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni would have boosted the event a zillion times, if Pakistan fans are to be believed.

While some of the best cricketers from as many as seven countries have reached Pakistan with the former Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Flower as their head coach, the Indians are conspicuous by their absence and there are many who do not like it.

As expected, no Indian was named in the ICC World XI which is captained by Faf du Plessis, and has current cricketers such as Hashim Amla, Tamim Iqbal, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir and David Miller to name a few.

On such a historic moment for Pakistan, a country in which fans have waited for eight long and painstaking years to see international cricket returning to their country, Indian superstars like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are being missed.

That Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni command a lot of respect and love from across the border is not a surprise, but it was indeed a pleasant surprise for both the Indian superstars to be remembered by Pakistani fans on a historic occasion.

 

[MenInG]

Would have been a real coup if Indian stars were there but given current political climate coming to Pak would have been suicide for the players

 

[troodon]

Kohli, Steve Smith and ABD would make this world XI unbeatable.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Regardless of the political climate, Indian players are playing a series.

 

[Slog]

Regardless of the political climate, Indian players are playing a series.

actually yea

but i guess guys like yuvraj could have come

 

[IndYeah1]

Its not like England and Australia have sent their top players.

PCB can't expect to keep "talking tough" with the BCCI, threatening lawsuits and then expect them to go out on a limb and send their marquee player(s). Can't have it both ways.

 

[JaDed]

Would had been nice to see Dhoni and Yuvi as well.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Kohli, Steve Smith and ABD would make this world XI unbeatable.

Steve Smith in t20s ? Lol

 

[ethan hunt]

Its not like England and Australia have sent their top players.

PCB can't expect to keep "talking tough" with the BCCI, threatening lawsuits and then expect them to go out on a limb and send their marquee player(s). Can't have it both ways.

England and australian players are busy with national duties

 

[bluevision]

actually yea

but i guess guys like yuvraj could have come

As a show-piece, Yuvi is fine. Unfortunately that's the truth these days!

 

[squarecut]

Common sense is that you should have good relations with people if you want them (or more importantly, if you want their money).

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Kohli, Steve Smith and ABD would make this world XI unbeatable.

Warner you mean? Smith isn't famous for T20

 

[gasgemba]

This so called world xi was a who's who of nobodies in international t20 with 1 or 2 stars.