Hashmatullah Shahidi, the ODI and Test skipper of Afghanistan raised a few eyebrows with his choices while selecting his all-time ODI XI. Shahidi, who had a remarkable stint as captain during the ODI World Cup 2023, opted for Pakistan's Rashid Latif as the wicketkeeper of the team, choosing him over former India captain MS Dhoni and even the great Sachin Tendulkar. But he has picked three Indians in the list.
Latif, recognized for his sharp reflexes and keen cricketing intellect was a prominent wicketkeeper for Pakistan during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Despite this, Latif played 166 ODIs for Pakistan, amassing 1,709 runs with just three half-centuries to his credit. In contrast, MS Dhoni boasts an outstanding ODI record, having played 350 matches for India and accumulating 10,773 runs, with a top score of 183 not out. Throughout his career, Dhoni registered 10 centuries and 72 half-centuries, while also guiding India to victory in the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
But despite of that his dream lineup includes some of the most legendary cricketers of all time. Shahidi selected Saeed Anwar and Rohit Sharma as his opening pair, followed by two batting greats – Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara.
He strengthened the middle order with the inclusion of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mahela Jayawardene. Andrew Flintoff serves as the designated pace-bowling all-rounder in his all-time ODI XI. The bowling unit features spin maestro Rashid Khan, along with two of the best fast bowlers from the subcontinent – Waqar Younis and Jasprit Bumrah.
Speaking of Shahidi, the 29-year old has amassed 2085 runs in 73 ODIs, 375 runs in 6 Test matches. In T20Is he appeared in only 6 matches, notching up just 48 runs.
Shahidi's All-Time ODI XI: Saeed Anwar (Pakistan), Rohit Sharma (India), Virat Kohli (India) Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Andrew Flintoff (England), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Waqar Younis (Pakistan) and Jasprit Bumrah (India).