Eoin Morgan’s fractured finger has paved the way for Shahid Afridi to lead the ICC World XI against the West Indies at Lord’s on Thursday.
The injury also means that Morgan will miss Middlesex’s match against Hampshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup 2018 this Wednesday, but he is expected to be back in action well before the ODI series against Australia, which starts on 13 June at The Oval.
Afridi said he was overwhelmed to have been appointed as the captain of the World XI.
‘It’s a great honour to be leading the ICC World XI side, that too for such a good cause. I’m sure all the players from either side are looking forward to the match with great enthusiasm and people will get to see some high-quality cricket on Thursday,’ said Afridi.
Meanwhile, Sam Billings has been named as the replacement for Morgan. The Kent wicketkeeper-batsman has played 13 ODIs and 17 T20Is for England.
‘This is an opportunity to play along with and against some of the leading players from the world over. I’m looking forward to the match with great interest and hope to put up a good performance in a match I’m sure will provide the crowds with lots of entertainment,’ said the thrilled 26-year-old.
Meanwhile, Tymal Mills has replaced Mohammed Shami, who has been unable to travel to London, while Sam Curran has also been drafted into the squad which now includes four players from England, two each from New Zealand and Pakistan, and one each from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
All proceeds from the Lord’s match will be used to redevelop the stadia in the Caribbean, which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.
ICC World XI squad:
Shahid Afridi (c) (Pakistan), Sam Billings (England), Sam Curran (England), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), Tymal Mills (England), Dinesh Karthik (India), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Mitchell McClenaghan (New Zealand), Shoaib Malik (Pakistan), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Luke Ronchi (New Zealand) and Adil Rashid (England)
For further information about the match and tickets, please click here.
