Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik to represent ICC World XI in Lord’s T20 vs West Indies

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Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (in pic) and Dinesh Karthik will be part of the ICC World XI side for the Twenty20 International against the West Indies at Lord’s on 31 May, 2018. (AFP)

Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will play in the ICC World XI side for the high-profile Twenty20 International against the West Indies at Lord’s on 31 May, 2018.

The match is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean damaged by hurricanes last year.

The squad will be led by England’s limited overs captain Eoin Morgan with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera and Afghanistan off-spinner Rashid Khan the other confirmed names.

Giles Clarke, former chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and a supporter of the event, welcomed the addition of the two India players, who are currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.

Pandya is turning out for Mumbai Indians while Karthik is leading Kolkata Knight Riders in the cash-rich franchise-based tournament.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for fans of the Indian team to come out and watch these two flamboyant players, who bring both class and star value to what I’m sure will be a memorable match at Lord’s,” said Clarke.

The West Indies, who are the reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions, will be led by Carlos Brathwaite.

Star big-hitting opener Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell are among the other high-profile cricketers in the squad.