India cricketers Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik have been confirmed as part of the ICC World XI which will play West Indies in a charity T20 game at Lord's on May 31, cricket’s governing body has said in a statement.
The BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary had last month said that Pandya and Karthik would feature in the match, which is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean, which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.
Former ECB head Giles Clarke, who is supporting the event, welcomed the addition of the two India players. “This is a fantastic opportunity for fans of the Indian team to come out and watch these two flamboyant players, who bring both class and star value to what I’m sure will be a memorable match at Lord’s,” he said in the ICC release. “People would remember Pandya’s valiant 43-ball 76 against Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy last year while Karthik too has played Test cricket at Lord’s. He has been in terrific form and recently blasted 29 off eight deliveries and sealed victory over Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy with a last-ball six.”
Eoin Morgan, England’s limited-overs captain, will skipper the ICC World XI which so far features Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan and now Pandya and Karthik. The remaining players will be announced in the coming days, the ICC said. The proceeds from this match will be donated towards rebuilding and renovating five major venues as well as other community cricket facilities that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The venues that will benefit include the Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla, the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica, the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in the British Virgin Islands and the Carib Lumber Ball Park in St. Maarten.
