Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali picked his best XI on Saturday (August 17). The former Pakistan team batsman picked MS Dhoni as the captain of the team, which includes some of the biggest names in world cricket, and also snubbed Rohit Sharma.
Basit Ali picked Indian batsman Virender Sehwag as one of the openers for the team. The second batsman picked by the former Pakistan cricketer was Sir Alastair Cook, who is arguably the best Test batsman England has ever produced.
At number 3, Basit Ali picked West Indies legend Brian Lara. The left-hander is the only world cricketer to have scored 400 runs in an innings. He has done exceptional things for the team in Test cricket and is considered the legend of the game.
Basit Ali then picked Sachin Tendulkar as the team’s number 4 batsman. He claimed that there is no one better than him to bat at that position. While speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“The first opener is Virender Sehwag. The second opener is Alastair Cook. He has the title of ‘Sir’ now. The number 3 is Brian Lara. When I say number 4, you must understand that it is Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar’s name will always be at number 4 in any team in the world.”
Basit was confused about the choice of the fifth batsman in the team. He was left with the option to choose between Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara. He praised the performances of the former Sri Lankan players but said it was difficult to leave Kohli out. He left the decision in the hands of the fans. He stated:
“Number 5 is Sangakkara’s sidearm, Virat Kohli. Sangakkara has also given some great performances. I have left you this name.”
At number 6, Basit picked Jacques Kallis, stating that the former South African cricketer is the most complete and also highlighted his fielding skills. He said, “Number 6 is the most complete, Jacques Kallis. He is a great batsman, a great bowler, a great fielder.”
Basit picked MS Dhoni instead of Adam Gilchrist in his all-time best XI. He said that the former Indian cricketer is better than Gilchrist. He said: “The number 7 is the captain of the starting XI, MS Dhoni. Some have named Gilchrist, but I am sticking with MS Dhoni. In my opinion, MS Dhoni is better than Gilchrist.”
In the bowling department, Basit Ali picked Wasim Akram along with Malcolm Marshall and Glenn McGrath as frontline bowlers. He then picked Shane Warne as the spinner. For the 12th man, he picked Muttiah Muralitharan as the off-spinner. He explained:
“The number 8 for any team in the world will be Wasim Akram. The number 9 is the most dangerous bowler in my opinion. We have seen great bowlers like Joel Garner, I have played with Ambrose, I have seen Caddick, but I don’t think there is a bowler like him.
“He is not in this world, but you must have understood, Mr Marshall, Malcolm Marshall, a great bowler. After him, Glenn McGrath, who was too good. There were other big names in this, there was the name of Walsh and Ambrose, but I will stick with McGrath. In the spin department, although he is not in this world, Shane Warne will be number 11. Number 12 is the best top spinner in the world, Muttiah Muralitharan.”
Basit Ali’s best XI
Here is Basit Ali’s all-time best XI
Virender Sehwag, Alastair Cook, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara/Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, MS Dhoni (centre), Wasim Akram, Malcolm Marshall, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne
