We pick out a current combined Asia ODI XI, as based on the ICC player rankings.

The methodology for this XI is simple. It is selected on the basis of the ICC player rankings. It includes the top five batters (including one wicketkeeper), the top two all-rounders and top four bowlers. We’ll ensure that three fast bowlers and two spinners are a part of this line-up.

The team comprises of three Bangladeshis, three Indians, three Pakistanis, and two Afghan cricketers. No Sri Lankan player makes it to the XI.

Fakhar Zaman – Pakistan

ICC ODI batting ranking: 11 (741 points)
53 ODIs, 2325 runs @ 47.44, six hundreds

The Pakistan batter will open the innings. An aggressive player, he has a strike-rate of 94.7 and is Pakistan’s only ODI double centurion. In April 2021, he played one of the finest knocks in a losing cause, a 155-ball 193 against South Africa. Given that the other top-order batters here like to play it long, he can provide explosive starts to the Asia XI.

Rohit Sharma – India

ICC ODI batting ranking: 3 (813 points)
227 ODIs, 9205 runs @ 48.96, 29 hundreds

The India batter can easily walk into any limited overs XI in the world. He is a prolific run-scorer, with a propensity to hit flawless sixes (He has 244 sixes in his ODI career) and keep the scoreboard ticking. Any other questions regarding his selection can be answered by the fact that he has scored three double centuries in ODIs.

Babar Azam – Pakistan

ICC ODI batting ranking: 1 (873 points)
83 ODIs, 3985 runs @ 56.92, 14 hundreds

The classy batter has already become the mainstay of Pakistan batting lineup and the scary thing is that he’s only getting started. While earlier one could fault him for getting out too soon after getting to his hundreds, he has only recently scored a 158 versus England. With all the shots in the book, Babar Azam is an integral part of the middle-order.

Virat Kohli – India

ICC ODI batting ranking: 2 (844 points)
254 ODIs, 12,169 runs @ 59.07, 43 Hundreds

Perhaps the best ODI batter ever, Virat Kohli slots in at No.4 in this XI. That 71st international hundred might be proving elusive and his Test form might not have been the best, but Kohli remains a star in ODIs. Since his last ODI hundred, he has played 15 ODIs and has scored eight half-centuries. Coming in after Rohit and Babar, Kohli will strike fears in hearts of any bowling line-up around the world.

Shakib Al Hasan – Bangladesh

ICC ODI all-rounder ranking: 1 (416 points)
215 ODIs, 6600 runs @ 37.93, 277 wickets @ 29.44

The Bangladesh legend is ranked ninth in the ICC ODI bowling rankings and 26th in the ICC ODI batting rankings. With nine four-wicket hauls, and the same number of hundreds, he is an asset for his team in both the disciplines. An all-rounder’s all-rounder, he has the ability to turn the game in a matter of minutes.

Mushfiqur Rahim – Bangladesh

ICC ODI batting ranking: 13 (723 points)
227 ODIs, 6581 runs @ 37.18, 189 catches and 46 stumpings

The combative Bangladesh batter is this Asia XI’s keeper. Perhaps batting at No.6 is too low for him, but in a team of superstars, some adjustments have to be made. He has the spirit of a true street fighter, and has taken his side out of perilous situations on several occasions.

Mohammad Nabi – Afghanistan

ICC ODI all-rounder ranking: 2 (294 points)
127 ODIs, 2817 runs @ 27.61, 132 wickets @ 33.12

The Afghanistan all-rounder pips his countryman, Rashid Khan, to take the second place in the Asia XI. A journeyman with experience of many T20 leagues around the world will make a good number seven and a strong support to Shakib and the rest of the bowlers. With a strike-rate of 85.02, 89 sixes and 177 fours, he can be a handful with the bat down the order.

Shaheen Shah Afridi – Pakistan

ICC ODI bowling ranking: 13 (630 points)
28 ODIs, 53 wickets @ 24.62, BBI 6-35

The left-arm seamer has become Pakistan’s main fast bowling hope in recent years. His left-arm pace has won him many admirers across the formats, and he can be a match-winner for the Asia XI with the ball. He has a decent economy rate of 5.51 along with four four-wicket hauls.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Afghanistan

ICC ODI bowling rankings: 3 (708 points)
43 ODIs, 70 wickets @ 22.04, BBI 5-50

With his own unique bag of mystery tricks, Mujeeb is a spinner many will find tough to read. His economy of 3.96, in this era, means that he can be a priceless weapon for any team. He can be used a new ball bowler as well, thus, giving greater options to his side.

Jasprit Bumrah – India

ICC ODI bowling rankings: 7 (679 points)
67 ODIs, 108 wickets @ 25.33, BBI 5-27

Jasprit Bumrah is to Indian bowling what Virat Kohli is to its batting. While, India are in an era of good fast bowling resources, Bumrah still manages to stand out among his compatriots. A bowler who can bowl at any match stage, any time, and against any batter is always a winning option for his team.

Mustafizur Rahman – Bangladesh

ICC ODI bowling rankings: 11 (640 points)
68 ODIs, 127 wickets @ 22.83, BBI 6-43

Mustafizur made his international debut only a few months before Jasprit Bumrah but set the world on fire by shocking India in his very first series. He adds to Asia XI’s armory not only as a left-arm pacer, but also as someone whose pace is tough to read. The presence of four very different bowlers in addition to Shakib and Nabi means this Asia XI possesses a very complete bowling line-up.

Asia ODI XI

Imam-Ul-Haq

Rohit Sharma

Babar Azam

Virat Kohli

Fakhar Zaman

Shakib Al Hasan

Mushfiqur Rahim (Wk)

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Jasprit Bumrah

Mustafizur Rahman