Wasim Akram reveals all-time Asian T20 XI, no place for Rohit Sharma

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Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has revealed his all-time Asian T20 XI, leaving out some big names, including former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. Akram, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, announced his dream XI during a discussion on Sony Sports. His selections have already sparked debate among cricket fans due to the surprising omissions and unique picks.

The team features five Indian players, while five are from Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya is the only non-India/Pakistan cricketer to make the cut. Akram also went with former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan as 12th man in the special team.

Akram chose Virender Sehwag and Jayasuriya as the opening pair. Both are known for their explosive batting style and ability to dismantle bowling attacks in the powerplay overs. At number three, he went with the “Master Blaster” Sachin Tendulkar, who remains one of the most celebrated figures in world cricket. Virat Kohli, often hailed as one of the finest T20 batters of all time, was slotted at number four, while Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq secured the number five position.

In the middle order, Akram backed MS Dhoni to handle the wicketkeeping as well as captaincy duties. Dhoni’s ability to finish matches and his tactical brilliance behind the stumps made him a natural choice. His inclusion comes as no surprise given his unmatched leadership record and reputation as one of the greatest finishers in cricket.

The all-rounder spots were taken by two Pakistani stars: Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq. Afridi, known for his power-hitting and leg-spin bowling, was a T20 trailblazer, while Razzaq’s versatility with both bat and ball made him one of the most dependable all-rounders of his generation. Akram also highlighted that T20 cricket is essentially a game for all-rounders, which explains his preference for such multi-dimensional players.

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The bowling department in Akram’s dream XI was a mix of raw pace and clever spin. Shoaib Akhtar, the “Rawalpindi Express,” was an automatic selection, bringing fearsome pace and aggression to the side. Alongside him, Akram included India’s modern-day pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah, who is renowned for his yorkers and calmness under pressure in the shortest format.

For the spin department, Akram picked Saqlain Mushtaq, the inventor of the “doosra,’ to provide wicket-taking options in the middle overs. This balanced bowling attack of pace and spin gives the side both control and attacking options.

Interestingly, Akram also included former Pakistan captain Imran as the 12th man in his side, praising his all-round ability and leadership qualities. While explaining his choices, Akram also admitted that Yuvraj deserved a place in the lineup, describing him as one of the best T20 players in the world. However, despite his admiration, Yuvraj missed out on a spot in the final XI.

One of the most surprising aspects of Akram’s all-time Asian T20 XI was the absence of Rohit Sharma. Widely regarded as one of the finest T20 batters in the world, Rohit is the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals (4231) and has multiple centuries (5) to his name in the format. His ability to anchor an innings as well as play explosive shots at the top makes him one of the most complete T20 openers.

Wasim Akram’s all-time Asian T20 XI: Virender Sehwag, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Inzamam-ul-Haq, MS Dhoni (wk), Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Jasprit Bumrah.

12th man: Imran Khan

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