India vs Pakistan All Time Combined XI

The best players from India and Pakistan on the same roster.

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India and Pakistan ODI team
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India and Pakistan ODI team (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The post year 1947, one nation was seen as two after Sir Cyril Radcliffe supposedly drew a line with a pencil in the then united India’s map to give the shape to two new nations – India and Pakistan. 70 years down the line, two nations have been working regressively with full fortitude not only in terms of economy, politics, technology but also in the field of sport- especially cricket. Both India and Pakistan are in the elite group of the few who have tasted the pleasure of this magnificent game of cricket.

The encounters between the two countries have always been termed as ‘arch-rivals’ where spectators enthusiastically portray their patriotism. Cricket field and 22 yards, has always played an impactful role which also defines the ‘affectionate concordance’ between India and Pakistan. Nevertheless, both teams witnessed some remarkable cricketers, who not only helped their side to clinch victories but have also been able to grace the cricket field.

With this, had there been no partition and two power-packed sides had been one, then most of the results would have been in favour of them. Imagine Waqar Younis bowling Sachin Tendulkar in nets or the little master Sunil Gavaskar giving batting tips to Javed Miandad, it would have been an altogether different experience. However, the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan are not on the best note, we can still cherish an All-Time Combined XI.

Openers (Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar)

The little master Sunil Gavaskar has proved to be one of the greatest openers in the history of this game. From becoming the first man to score 10,000 runs in the Test arena to having a wide variety of shots and courage to play without a helmet to face some serious bowling attack of his generation. The uneven bounce and cracks on the pitch had made it even more difficult for players to adjudicate what is coming out of bowlers hand. In these circumstances, he proved to be an exceptional cricketer which helps him to occupy the first spot.

Having the most number of runs at the apex level and being defined as the ‘god of cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar takes the second spot in the list. With an impeccable technique and beautiful hand-eye coordination, Sachin has probably been the best cricketer of his generation. In spite of the injuries he faced in his career, he was able to put all odds aside and do what he has known for – score runs.

Middle Order (Javed Miandad, Virat Kohli, and Zaheer Abbas)

Javed Miandad has undoubtedly changed the fortune of Pakistan Cricket. It is known that the entire nation used to stand still and watch him play as he was able to script victories the way he wanted them. Having 31 International centuries to his side, Javed has been a fighter who had the courage to play rampaging fast and spin bowling. With this, Miandad takes the third spot.

The 29-year-old current India skipper Virat Kohli has not only been able to prove his stature at this level but has over 50 centuries under his belt which led  ‘cricket pundits’ to rate him equivalent to the great Sachin Tendulkar. Virat Kohli’s name is synonymous with spirit and spunk in the folklore of Indian Cricket. Though he generally plays at the number three spot, he occupies the fourth spot eyeing stability back end.

Zaheer Abbas was known for his ability to score runs and was even labelled as the ‘Run-Machine’ of the Pakistan Cricket. Scoring over 7,000 runs in his short career, Abbas had the strength to take the game away from the opposition at any point of time. In his cricketing days, he has always batted up the order but here seeing at the combination, he fits best at number five spot.

Wicket-Keeper (MS Dhoni – Captain)

One of the most talented cricketers to ever grace the cricket field. He is one of the few batsmen who has excelled in all three formats of the game. His range of inventive strokeplay has increased as his career has progressed. His cricketing brain helped to become the most successful captain of all time. Lately, MS Dhoni has taken the role the finish of the innings and try to stay till the end. He relies mostly on his game-skills which have helped him to carry the stature he does.

All Rounders (Kapil Dev and Imran Khan)

Both All Rounders featuring in this XI have not only played some delightful cricket but have also been able to win the World Cup for their respective nation. They could walk into any side, any day for their batting or bowling skills. With the bat, they were streamlined with abilities to hit and defend astutely. As a bowler, they were always among the pioneers of reverse swing and had an array of variations which eventually gave them wickets.

Bowlers (Harbhajan Singh, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis)

One of the most successful bowlers for India, Harbhajan Singh has the ability to bowl the ball that he wants when he wants, instead of being forced to doing something the batsman wants is a measure of just how good he is. Picking over 600 wickets in his International career, he proved to India’s best off-spinner. Having the ability to score crucial 15-20 runs at the back end of the innings makes him so dangerous.

Number 10 spot is taken by Wasim Akram, who seems to be the easiest choice to be a part of this superlative eleven. The greatest left arm bowler in cricket, he could move the ball in both directions. He was a complete master of swing and seam bowling. A useful lower-order batsman too, Akram is a real joy to watch as a bowler. Even today when he is seen playing charity cricket, he still swings the ball as he used to do in his early days which speaks volumes about his experience.

The best-suited player to bowl from the other end in the likes of Wasim Akram seems to be Waqar Younis, who also had a wonderful career and someone who made the paradigm shift in Pakistan’s bowling. He was one of the fastest bowlers from Asia and had a wide range of deliveries, aimed at the stumps. With this, he occupies the eleventh spot in the all-time combine eleven.

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