Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is likely to play in the two-match T20I series, to be hosted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) marking birth centenary of to Father of the National Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
BCB President Nazmul Hassan gave the information at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The details about the participating teams, Asia XI and World XI, and the schedule are not revealed yet, reports UNB.
“We’ve finalised some players who will play for the Asia XI in March. However, we’re yet to sign any agreement with them. There’ll be at least five players from India. No Pakistani will participate in this event as they’re busy playing their domestic league. I think Virat will play for the Asia XI. However, we’re yet to sign a deal with him,” Nazmul said.
Along with Virat, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Shami might also be the part of the Asia XI from India while Thisara Perera and Lasith Maliga are from Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan’s spin duo -- Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman -- might also be in the Asia XI along with Bangladeshis Mustafizur Rahman, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das.
There also some big names in the World XI as the sources from BCB confirmed UNB. They said West Indian Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle might play in this series while Englishmen Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Alex Hales might also travel to Bangladesh. At the same time, Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi (South Africa), Mitchel McClenaghan (New Zealand) and Andrew Tye (Australia) might also take part in the much-awaited T20I battle.
Asia XI squad (probable): Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das
World XI squad (probable): Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Ross Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Alex Hales, Faf du Plessis, Lungi Ngidi, Andrew Tye, Mitchell McClenaghan