Peshawar Zalmi captain and veteran Pakistani batsman Babar Azam has recently picked the best ODI XI in the world and has not picked any Indian player. He ignored players like renowned Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while leaving out players like Jasprit Bumrah.
Currently, T20 fever has gripped the cricket world, but soon after the franchise leagues end, teams around the world will shift their focus towards the longer format of white-ball cricket. All the teams would be preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
With Pakistan’s legendary batsman Babar Azam leading his team Peshawar Zalmi to the final of this edition of the PSL, he was with the Zalmi media for a video session and was asked to pick the best World ODI XI according to his opinion.
Babar Azam picks 0 Indians in ODI World XI
Surprisingly, the former Pakistan captain did not pick two of the best ODI cricketers of the modern generation, just because they are players of Indian origin. Bias seemed to be at the forefront.
Babar Azam left out the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two best white-ball cricketers in the world, as he picked Mitchell Marsh at the top of the order and then placed Aiden Markram at no. 3 positions. He also snubbed Jasprit Bumrah from one spot and instead picked his Pakistani teammate to pair up with South African great Kagiso Rabada and England fast bowler Jofra Archer.
Babar Azam’s ODI XI: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Aiden Markram, Mohammad Rizwan, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook, Mitchell Santner, Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada.
Babar Azam mocks himself after 12th man role in World ODI XI
However, leaving out the Indian players did not seem as big an insult to him as it was to himself not being picked in the playing eleven. Instead, he picked himself as the 12th man in an ODI XI.
Although this could be due to the humility of not picking himself, it seemed like he was not confident in his recent form in international cricket and his performance in ICC tournaments and therefore decided not to be a part of his own ODI XI.
Instead, he picked Mohammad Rizwan, the wicket-keeper batsman and his batting partner in the XI, and placed him in the middle order alongside the likes of Rachin Ravindra and Harry Brook.
Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi aiming for first PSL title as captain
Babar Azam has been a part of the Pakistan Super League for many seasons and has played for Peshawar Zalmi for most of his career. However, he never won a PSL title with the franchise.
If Zalmi reached the final, he would be seeking his second title, and Babar Azam would be seeking his first as captain of the Peshawar Zalmi team. He has also amassed over 500 runs and is closing in on 600 in this season’s PSL. They will face Hyderabad Kingsmen, the debutant team in the final.
ALSO READ: CSK vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today, Dream11 Team Today, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update: IPL 2026, Match 44