Babar Azam Excludes Kohli and Bumrah from His T20 World XI, Chooses Rohit and Suryakumar
Islamabad:Former Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has caused a stir by excluding Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah from his T20 World XI, despite their global recognition. In an interview on Peshawar Zalmi’s YouTube channel, Babar was asked to pick his ideal T20 squad. Surprisingly, he left out Bumrah and Kohli, opting instead for other international stars.
In his carefully selected lineup, Babar included Indian players, showing that despite the ongoing tension between Pakistan and India, sportsmanship prevailed. He picked Rohit Sharma as an opener and Suryakumar Yadav for his aggressive middle-order play. The squad also boasts a blend of top players from various cricketing nations, such as England’s Jos Buttler, South Africa’s David Miller, and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.
Here’s the playing XI selected by Babar Azam:
* Rohit Sharma (India)
* Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
* Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
* Suryakumar Yadav (India)
* Jos Buttler (England)
* David Miller (South Africa)
* Marco Jansen (South Africa)
* Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
* Pat Cummins (Australia)
* Mitchell Starc (Australia)
* Marcus Stoinis (Australia)
Despite the tension between India and Pakistan, this gesture by Babar highlights the importance of the sport in bridging divides. The selection also reflects his strategic thinking and global perspective on team dynamics.
In related news, after the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the remaining matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 have kicked off, with a tribute paid to the Pakistani armed forces. The opening match in Rawalpindi was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Director-General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who were seen at the stadium, showing their support for the event.
This move is a reminder of the unifying power of sports, even in the face of political tensions. What are your thoughts on Babar Azam’s selections and the role of cricket in promoting peace and unity?
