Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra picked the best World XI of cricketers whom he feels have emerged from the Under-19 Cricket World Cup setup.
The team he named consisted of two Pakistan players, two England players and one player each from India, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh and South Africa.
Aakash Chopra’s opening batsmens.
Chopra had named Pakistan’s Barber Azzam and said that there was a lot of potential in Azam when the world saw him in the Under 19 stage. and India’s Virat Kohli as his opening batsmen.
“Babar Azam, you saw him playing drives in the Under-19 World Cup, he was looking good. He comes from a cricketing family and it was the first time we got to see his potential, although you don’t know how much that potential will be realized.
After Azam, Chopra picked Indian skipper Virat Kohli and said that he has witnessed Virat Kohli in his younger days in the Ranji Trophy. Chopra also admitted that when he first saw Kohli, he did not expect the current 33-year-old to perform so well in the international arena.
“After him, Virat Kohli. The qualities were there, it seemed the boy will do well but I will be honest, I didn’t feel he will do this well. ” Chopra told on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra’s middle order.
Aakash Chopra then picked modern-day greats, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. Chopra stated that Smith has become unstoppable, and Williamson has been extremely consistent as well.
“Steve Smith, if you see his photo as a kid, you will say a leg-spinner had come who could bat a little but he will become Steve unstoppable Smith. Kane consistent Williamson – it was the same World Cup where Virat Kohli was there against him. In fact, Kohli dismissed Williamson,” said Chopra.
For the wicket-keeping role, Chandimal was chosen for his exploits for Sri Lanka. England’s world cup winning captain, Eoin Morgan was next and the batting order was completed by Shimron Hetmyer.
“After that, Dinesh Chandimal. I will keep him in the team as a wicket-keeper. Eoin Morgan, World Cup-winning captain. He used to play for Ireland at that time, now he is England’s captain. Shimron Hetmyer – we had seen his ability to hit sixes in under-19 cricket,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra’s bowling attack
The bowling squad selected one spinner and three fast bowlers. In Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the lone spinner, while the three fast bowlers were Chris wokes of England, Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan and Kagiso Rabada of South Africa.
“Mehidy Hasan Miraz one of my favorite players, his performance has been very good. Off-spin, batting he is brilliant. Then Chris Woakes, he also made the journey from the under-19 World Cup to the England side.”
“Then Shaheen Afridi and Kagiso Rabada. These are two other big names whom you see and say Well done yaar, these boys have done very well,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra’s XI: Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Dinesh Chandimal, Eoin Morgan, Shimron Hetmyer, Mehidy Hasan, Chris Woakes, Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada