Basit Ali names MS Dhoni captain but snubs Rohit Sharma as he picks his All-time World XI

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali picked his World XI on Saturday (17th August). The ex-batter of the Pakistan team went on to pick MS Dhoni as the captain of the team, which includes some of the big names of world cricket and he also snubbed Rohit Sharma from his side.

Basit Ali went on to pick Indian batter Virender Sehwag as one of the openers in the team. The second batter picked at the top by the former Pakistan cricketer was Sir Alastair Cook, who is arguably the best Test batter England has ever produced.

At No.3, Basit Ali went on to pick West Indies legend Brian Lara. The left-hander is the only player in world cricket who has scored 400 runs in an innings. He has done exceptional things for the team in Test cricket and is touted as the Legend of the game.

Basit Ali then went on to pick Sachin Tendulkar as the No.4 batter in the team. He claimed that there’s no one better than batting great at that position. While speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

“The first opener is Virender Sehwag. The second opener is Alastair Cook. Now he has got the title of “Sir”. Number 3 is Brian Lara. When I say Number 4, you should understand that it is Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar's name will be always on number 4 in any team of the World."

Basit then was confused about picking the No.5 batter on the team. He was left with a choice between Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara. He highlighted the performances of former Sri Lankan players but said it was hard to leave Kohli. He left the decision to the fans. He stated:

“Number 5 is Sangakkara oblique Virat Kohli. Sangakkara has also delivered great performances. I have left this name on you.”

At No.6, Basit picked Jacques Kallis, stating that the former South African cricketer is the greatest all-rounder and highlighted his fielding skills as well. He said: “Number 6 is the best all-rounder, Jacques Kallis. He is a great batsman, a great bowler, a great fielder.”

Basit picked MS Dhoni over Adam Gilchrist in his all-time World XI. He said that the former Indian cricketer is better than Gilchrist. He said: “Number 7 is the captain of World XI, MS Dhoni. People have named Gilchrist but, I will go with MS Dhoni. In my opinion, MS Dhoni is better than Gilchrist.”

In the bowling department, Basit Ali picked Wasim Akram along with Malcolm Marshall and Glenn McGrath as front-line pacers. He then picked Shane Warne as the spinner. For the 12th man, he picked Muttiah Muralitharan as the off-spinner. He elaborated:

“Number 8 for any team in the world will be Wasim Akram. Number 9 is the most dangerous bowler in my opinion. We have seen big bowlers like Joel Garner, I have played with Ambrose, I have seen Caddick, but I don't think there will be a bowler like him.

“He is not in this world, but you must have understood, Marshall sir, Malcolm Marshall, a great bowler. After him, Glenn McGrath, who was too good. There were other big names in this, there was a name of Walsh and Ambrose, but I will go with McGrath. In the Spin department, Although he is not in this world, Shane Warne will be number 11. Number 12 is the world's best top spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan.”

Basit Ali’s all-time World XI

Here’s Basit Ali’s all-time World XI

Virender Sehwag, Alastair Cook, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara/Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, MS Dhoni (C), Wasim Akram, Malcolm Marshall, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne