Hardik Pandya and Karthik bring class and star value with them, says ECB chief Giles Clarke

The reigning World Champions in the shortest format of the game, Windies, are all set to clash in the charity match against World XI on May 31 at the iconic Lord’s. The game is organised to raise the funds for the stadiums which were destroyed in the hurricanes last year in the Caribbean nation. The duo of Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik recently agreed to feature in the team which will be led by Eoin Morgan. However, Giles Clarke, the chief of England cricket board, believes that the inclusion of the Indian players will urge more fans to come out and watch the game.

Karthik and Pandya have joined the likes of Rashid Khan, Thisara Perera, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan who are already part of the squad. Moreover, the fans would be thrilled with the fact that the players of India and Pakistan will be featuring in the same team. Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi were among the first to be included while building the World XI for the one-off T20I. Both the countries haven’t faced off in a bilateral series since 2012 due to the political tension and to watch their players play for the same side would be no less than a thrill.

Fantastic opportunity for Indian fans

Giles Clarke felt that it is a great chance for the fans to watch their two of the star Indian players fighting it out alongside the best cricketers in the World. “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 according to the statement released on the official website of ICC.

He also recalled Hardik Pandya’s blitzkrieg against Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy which had threatened to take the game away from them for a while. Clarke also threw light on Karthik’s recent heroics in Sri Lanka which helped India to be crowned the Champions of the Nidahas Trophy. He hogged all the limelight after the match-winning knock and few also believed that it is the second coming for the wicketkeeper-batsman in his career.

“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,” Clarke added in his statement.

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