Kohli likely to play for Asia XI in Bangladesh: BCB president

Indian captain Virat Kohli is likely to play in the two-match T20I series between Asia XI and World XI, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan said on Tuesday, reports UNB.

The series will be hosted by the BCB to pay tributes to Father of the National Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to mark his birth centenary.

The details about the participating teams and the schedule are not revealed yet.

“We’ve finalised some players who will play for the Asia XI in March. However, we’re yet to sign any agreement with them. There’ll be at least five players from India. No Pakistani player will participate in this event as they’re busy playing their domestic league. I think Virat will play for the Asia XI. However, we’re yet to sign a deal with him,” Nazmul told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Along with Kohli, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Shami might also be the part of the Asia XI from India while Thisara Perera and Lasith Maliga are from Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan’s spin duo -- Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman -- might also be in the Asia XI along with Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das.

There also some big names in the World XI as the sources from BCB confirmed UNB.

West Indian Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle might play in this series while Englishmen Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Alex Hales might also travel to Bangladesh, BCB sources told UNB.

At the same time, Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi (South Africa), Mitchel McClenaghan (New Zealand) and Andrew Tye (Australia) might also take part in the T20I battle.

Asia XI squad (probable): Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das

World XI squad (probable): Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Ross Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Alex Hales, Faf du Plessis, Lungi Ngidi, Andrew Tye, Mitchell McClenaghan