Aakash names 2 Pakistani in his ‘Best Test XI’

Monitoring Desk

NEW DELHI: Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has included two of Pakistan’s finest cricketers in his Best Test XI, which comprised of players who he played for and against. Chopra, who made his debut against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, played 10 Test matches for India between 2003 and 2004. “I did not play many Test matches, a total of 10 to be exact. I played against Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand,” said Chopra while speaking in a YouTube video. “Today I’m going to prepare a Test XI, which will include players I played for, India, and against.”

The 42-year-old included Pakistan batting great Inzamamul Haq at the number six spot in the playing XI. “At number six I have got Inzamamul Haq. You might think why he is lower down the order (due to presence of other great players above him) but it’s important to have him in the side,” he said. The former right-hander also included world’s fastest bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, in his lineup as well. “Shoaib Akhtar was a fantastic bowler and bowled really fast,” he said. “He once hit me on the shoulder. I gave the shirt for laundry numerous times but the stain left by the ball did not disappear. Well done Shoaibi! “Now he is a friend but back then he was a foe,” he added. Aakash Chopra’s Test XI: Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting (c), Inzamamul Haq, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Anil Kumble, Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, Jason Gillespie.