When it comes to cricket, Brett Lee has always been known for his fearless pace and sharp views. This time, the former Australian fast bowler has created buzz by naming his all-time Asian T20I XI.
The big talking point is the presence of Virat Kohli in the top order, but the absence of Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
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Lee’s XI has space for four Indian cricketers, along with a mix of players from Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE and Hong Kong.
Which Indian players feature in Brett Lee’s Asian T20I XI?
Lee decided to trust India’s big names when it comes to T20 cricket. He placed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the top, calling them the perfect pair to start an innings.
Kohli is one of the best chasers the format has ever seen, while Rohit is the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals with over 4200 runs.
The middle order also carried an Indian flavour. MS Dhoni was chosen as the wicketkeeper and captain, while Hardik Pandya was picked for his power hitting and finishing skills.
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Why did Babar Azam not make the cut, and who from Pakistan did?
The most surprising part of the XI is that Babar Azam, despite being second only to Rohit Sharma in T20I runs, did not find a place.
Instead, Lee preferred Mohammad Rizwan, praising him for consistency and ability to anchor innings.
Rizwan has scored heavily in T20Is but is not part of Pakistan’s current squad for the Asia Cup, something that Lee found surprising.
In the bowling unit, Lee picked Haris Rauf for his raw pace and skill in death overs. According to Lee, Rauf’s speed and wicket-taking ability make him one of the best fast bowlers in Asia’s T20 scene.
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Who are the surprise names outside India and Pakistan?
Apart from the usual stars, Lee made a few unusual picks. Babar Hayat from Hong Kong earned a spot due to his record in Asia Cup T20Is, where he stands among the highest run-scorers. Amjad Javed and Mohammad Naveed from UAE were also included.
The bowling attack had an explosive mix with Rashid Khan from Afghanistan, Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka, and India’s Jasprit Bumrah.
Brett Lee’s all-time Asian T20I XI
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Hayat, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Rashid Khan, Amjad Javed, Mohammad Naveed, Haris Rauf, Jasprit Bumrah.