Kolkata, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will be part of the ICC World XI which will take on the West Indies in a charity T20 game at the Lord’s on May 31, BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhury said here on Wednesday.
“Hardik and Dinesh will be part of the World XI team for the charity match,” Chaudhury told reporters on the sidelines of the ICC meeting.
Top-ranked bowler Rashid Khan of Afghanistan along with Bangladesh stars Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal have also confirmed their participation.
The match is being organized to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean, which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.
Other Asians who have already confirmed for the match are Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, and Thisara Perera of Sri Lanka. The remaining players will be announced in the coming days.
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.
Giles Clarke, who is supporting the event, welcomed the addition of the two India players, who are currently playing in the Indian Premier League. Pandya is turning out for Mumbai Indians while Karthik is leading Kolkata Knight Riders in the Twenty20 tournament.
“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,” Clarke said.
“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,” he added.
The Windies, reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions, are being led by Carlos Brathwaite.
Star big-hitting opener Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree and Andre Russell are among the other leading cricketers in the squad.
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.
