Paul Collingwood, Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel possible candidates in World XI series

World XI series against Pakistan was confirmed on Monday and the speculations of how the World XI team would look like started making rounds. Now it has been reported that Paul Collingwood, Faf du Plessis and Morne Morkel are in line to be part of side that will play three T20Is in Pakistan.

News has been floating that the South African duo of Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir are set to tour Pakistan for the series in September. Collingwood’s agreement to participate though comes as a surprise as the former England captain was not even in contention a few days ago.

According to the report, Collingwood, who is still playing for Durham at the age of 41, will be the only English player in the World XI for the series in Pakistan. “Paul Collingwood is in line to be the English representative in the World XI, coached by Andy Flower, which will play a three-match series in Pakistan next month as the International Cricket Council brings top level cricket back to the country,” The Guardian reported.

More players in line for series

Meanwhile, as per Geo.tv West Indies bowler Samuel Badree is also being expected to play a part in the historic series, along with the South African cricketers, Test and T20I skipper Faf and fast bowler Morkel. They have further revealed that Grant Elliot, former New Zealand player, and Bangladeshi duo Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are also in talks.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Najam Sethi, stated on Monday that World XI team will arrive in Pakistan next month to play three matches, which are scheduled for September 12, 13, and 15 in Lahore. Shahryar Khan, the former PCB chairman, had said in an interview earlier that Michael Clarke, Tim Paine, and Luke Ronchi would also be part of the World XI team but soon Clarke had distanced himself from the claims.

The World XI team is likely to have representation from England, West Indies, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.