Shane Warne picks his dream World Cup XI - Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram included

[MenInG]

Shane Warne picked a star-studded dream World Cup XI at Salaam Cricket 2019 at Lord's on Sunday. At the very outset, Warne said he would pick only the players he had played with or played against.

Therefore, you would not find the likes of Virat Kohli, David Warner, MS Dhoni or any of the other cricketers of the present generation.

Warne picked a power-packed top-order which included Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Mark Waugh and Kumar Sangakkara.

"It's a pretty good top-four," Shane Warne said."No.5 wasn't as clear-cut as the top-four. I wanted an all-rounder at No.5 and I went with Mark Waugh because he was the greatest all-round cricketer I played with.

"For No.6, I wanted a left-hander and I went with Kumar Sangakkara. If you wanted to change it up, he could go up the order. If something happened to the wicketkeeper, Sangakkara could keep wickets.

"Andrew Flintoff can bowl a good yorker and he has good hitting capabilities. I thought of Andrew Symonds but went with Flintoff at the end.

"Shahid Afridi's bowling was underrated and his fielding was good. Akram at No, 9 is a good fielder and could smash it out of the park. At No.11, there would be so many options but I ended up going with my mate," Warne said.

Shane Warne refused to pick himself up in the side and said the team did not need a coach because every player knew what they had to do.

Here is Warne's Dream XI:

Adam Gilchrist (WK)

Sachin Tendulkar

Ricky Ponting

Brian Lara

Mark Waugh

Kumar Sangakkara

Andrew Flintoff

Shahid Afridi

Wasim Akram

Muttiah Muralitharan

Glenn McGrath

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...ime-xi-salaam-cricket-2019-1540824-2019-06-02

 

[Abdullah719]

Afridi?

 

[Bhaijaan]

Quite an average team by Warne.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Afridi, why would anyone put Afridi in any XI?

 

[jagatk]

That is a really bad team. Brian Lara, Mark Waugh, Afridi, Flintoff, sangakarra. When was the last time anyone included any of these players in an odi best 11.

 

[hitthestump]

I think the event name 'Salaam Cricket' suggests that Warne knew it'd be smart to put Pakistan's supermodel cricketer in his XI.

No South African's is pretty hilarious.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Afridi in his peak was as good as any full time spinner. Since, Warne didn’t select himself, it’s not a bad move to pick a wicket taking leggie like Afridi.

 

[angrypathan]

Always get the feeling Warne is itching to write his own name on the sheet

 

[Titan24]

Afridi is 2nd highest wicket taker among spinners in ODI and his hitting ability is a bonus. Pretty solid as a team.

I might have been inclined towards Saqlain over afridi but that would be two off spinners and little less batting depth.

 

[Mueez]

Afridi had a great 2011 WC if I remember correctly.

 

[Slog]

Afridi had a great 2011 WC if I remember correctly.

One of the highest wicket takers

Afridi is an ODI ATG

 

[Mamoon]

One of the highest wicket takers

Afridi is an ODI ATG

Joint highest wicket taker along with Zaheer.

 

[Slog]

Joint highest wicket taker along with Zaheer.

Oh I thought he was one behind Zaheer but wasn’t sure

Afridi is the spin Pakistani version of Kapil Dev the player in my book. However Kapil was a big match player compared to afridi

 

[coy0607]

People forget just how good a bowler Afridi was for the last 10-12 years of his career. His numbers look scewed because of the first 7-8 years where he was used as a part-timer.

His batting, although not consistent, had the potential to be devastating- especially at his peak. What more do you need from a #8

Add his longevity, and I'm surprised I don't see him in more people's all-time LOI 11

 

[IAJ]

Quite an average team by Warne.

A couple of more indians would have made your day right?

 

[Technics 1210]

A couple of more indians would have made your day right?

I think he wants Kumble in the squad, but he doesn't hold a candle to Akram, Afridi, and Younis for that mater when it comes to ODI wickets.

 

[JattMaula]

Even Warne knows that Lala was a Legend and a GOAT.

 

[Aman]

I don't remember Flintoff doing anything in the WC.

 

[Ronaldo7]

That is a really bad team. Brian Lara, Mark Waugh, Afridi, Flintoff, sangakarra. When was the last time anyone included any of these players in an odi best 11.

Who's talking about an ODI XI?? Even though Lara would make most Odi teams. He was a brilliant odi player.
It's a WC xi.
Afridi was the joint highest wicket taker In the 2011 wc.

 

[Cric1234]

He didn't pick Viv which is interesting and also ABs record is very good and could be in the line up.

 

[Slog]

He didn't pick Viv which is interesting and also ABs record is very good and could be in the line up.

It’s prolly players from his era

 

[Slog]

I don't remember Flintoff doing anything in the WC.

Fredalo