Former Pakistan captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan and King of Swing Wasim Akram has been named in ESPNcricinfo’s all-time World Cup XI
According to the cricket website, ten of the playing XI featured in half or more of the sides. Of these, Wasim Akram was the only unanimous choice.
Cricinfo wrote that twenty-two members of their staff picked their alI-time World Cup XIs, from which they compiled a composite team. A total of 39 players featured in at least one of those 22 individual teams. Ten players featured in half or more of the sides. Of these, Wasim Akram was the only unanimous choice.
“The battle for the final spot was a close one: Kumar Sangakkara pipped the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Steve Waugh, Kapil Dev and AB de Villiers.” Cricinfo wrote.
Only two of the players in the final XI featured in a World Cup before 1992, both a reflection of how the ODI game has evolved and the average age of the selectors.
Only two of the players in the final XI of featured in a World Cup before 1992, Cricinfo said.
Khan who has been named as captain of the side, represented Pakistan in 28 matches, scoring 666 runs and taking 34 wickets. The man behind Pakistan’s 1992 triumph was known to be steady with the bat and deadly with the ball.
Akram who is the other Pakistani named in the side played 38 matches and picked 55 wickets at an average of 23.83. Known as the greatest left-arm bowler of his generation, Akram swung the 1992 World Cup final Pakistan’s team’s way with bat and ball. He also lead his team to the final of the mega tournament in 1999.