The Indo-Pak rivalry in sports is the one cricket fans throughout the world look up to. Though other contentions exist between various countries like the trans-tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, none of them matches the zeal and vigour of fans when the subcontinental neighbours take on each other. Players from both sides are especially geared up to take on each other for the marquee event.

Ever since 2008, ties between the neighbouring countries have been strained leading to decreasing cricketing engagements between them. In fact, in the last 12 years, India has hosted Pakistan for a bilateral series only once. Both countries take the field against each other only in ICC events.

The reduced cricketing action between the two nations thus hypes up the limited matches between the countries. The fans have started looking forward to their encounters in the ICC events more than ever before. Both countries have produced exceptional cricketers who have taken the world by storm.

Here we discuss the All-time combined ODI XI of Indian and Pakistani players: 

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Any list involving Indian players is incomplete without the presence of the ‘Master Balster’. Considered as the ‘God of Cricket’ by many fans and experts alike, Tendulkar was the one who made cricket a household sport in India. Few people had more impact than Sachin in attracting Indian youth to the sport.

Throughout his career, Sachin has made innumerable records, some of which are so daunting that experts think they’ll never be broken. A man who has completed a century of centuries in international cricket deserves no less. Sachin also has a more than impressive record against Pakistan scoring 2526 runs in 69 matches with 5 hundreds and 16 half-centuries.

In his ODI career, Sachin took the field in 463 matches scoring 18, 426 runs at an average of 44.83. This included 49 hundreds and 96 fifties. Apart from this, he left his legacy in 2010 when he became the first male cricketer to score a double hundred in ODIs. In this playing XI, the Mumbai-born batsman will open the innings.

2. Saeed Anwar

The left-handed batting legend from Pakistan needs no introduction. Considered as one of the best openers to have graced the cricketing field, Anwar had prolific success in the limited-overs format of the game. Despite his lack of footwork, he scored a truckload of runs because of his exquisite hand-eye coordination.

He held the record of the highest individual score in ODIs until Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry took the mantle twelve years later. The 51-year-old former cricketer from Karachi scored most of his runs through cover drives utilising even a minimal width outside off-stump. He was also named the Wisden Cricketer of the year in 1997. His highest ODI score of 194 also came against arch-rivals India in the same year.

In his 247 matches’ long ODI career, he scored 8824 runs at an average of 39.22. These runs included 20 centuries and 43 fifties. In this playing XI, he will share the openers’ slot with the Master Blaster.

3. Virat Kohli

Following the openers is one of the best batsmen of the current generation. The right-handed batsman from Delhi took over from where Tendulkar left and has established himself as his appropriate replacement. Kohli’s prowess with the bat, especially in Limited-overs cricket is widely regarded throughout the world.

In the present era, Kohli has established himself as a chase master evidenced by him completing nearly impossible run-chases. He is capable of anchoring the innings as well as finishing it. His highest ODI score of 183 also came against Pakistan in the 2012 edition of Asia Cup.

Till date, Kohli has appeared in 248 ODI matches and has scored 11,867 runs at an average of 59.34. He has also scored 43 hundreds and 58 fifties in his career. In this playing XI, he will play the role of the main anchor of the innings.

4. Inzamam-ul-Haq

The controversial cricketer from Multan, Pakistan is the next one on the list. He is one of the most experienced Pakistani cricketers who went on the shape the future of cricket in his nation. In a playing XI dominated by pacers in the 90s, Inzamam had taken on the mantle to take Pakistan to respectable scores and leave the bowlers with an appreciable score to defend.

Despite his healthy physique and slow running between the wickets, Inzamam managed to score heavy runs throughout his career. Much to the cricketing world’s chagrin but his countrymen’s reverence, Inzamam stood up for his team in 2006 against ball-tampering allegations and became the first-ever captain to forfeit a match in protest.

In his 378 match ODI career, he scored 11,739 runs at an average of 39.53. He also managed to score 10 hundreds and 83 fifties. In this playing XI, he will play the role of an anchor alongside Virat Kohli.

5. Yuvraj Singh

The explosive left-hander from Punjab has become a legend in India’s folklore. Man of the tournament in India’s victorious campaign in the 2011 world cup has a lot of credits to his name. He has achieved a lot of success in the limited-overs format.

In the inaugural T20 World Cup, he broke numerous records and also became the first batsman to hit 6 sixes in an over in a T20I. Along with his aggressive batting, he can also lend a useful hand with the ball. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, he was awarded Man of the tournament for his all-round exploits with the willow and the white cherry.

In 304 matches in his International career, he scored 8701 runs at an average of 36.56. He also scored 14 hundreds and 52 half-centuries. With the ball, he managed to scalp 111 wickets with an economy of 5.1.

6. MS Dhoni (c & wk)

‘The Captain Cool’ is the perfect choice to lead this playing XI full of cricketing legends. The former Indian Skipper from Jharkhand has achieved almost every cricketing milestone in terms of success as a captain. He has led his team to victory in World T20, ODI World Cup and even the Champions Trophy.

Along with his captaincy, he is also one of the best wicketkeepers across the globe. He has often left fans astonished by his lighting quick stumpings and breathtaking catches behind the wickets. His finishing skills as a batsman are stranger to none.

Till date, Dhoni has appeared in 350 ODI matches and has scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.58. He has also scored 10 hundreds and 73 fifties despite coming to bat so lower down the order. The Jharkhand stalwart will be the skipper as well as the wicket-keeper of this playing XI.

7. Kapil Dev

The ‘Haryana Hurricane’ is widely regarded by many experts as the greatest all-rounder on earth in all cricketing history. Kapil Dev brought about a revolution in the perception of cricket in his home nation. India’s victory in the Prudential Cricket World Cup in 1983 broke open to doors of cricket to the world, ending the dominance of West Indies.

Kapil Dev provided a complete package to his team in terms of batting, bowling as well as fielding. His 175 against Zimbabwe in World Cup 1983, saving India from an embarrassingly low total is considered as one of the greatest innings in the history of the tournament. Also, his catch of Vivian Richards in the final may well have been the major factor guiding his team to an unprecedented victory.

In his 225 match ODI career, Dev scored 3783 runs at an impressive strike rate of 95.07. He also scored 14 fifties with a solitary hundred in these innings. In the same matches, he managed to scalp 253 wickets at an average of 27.45 and an economy of 3.72.

8. Imran Khan

The World Cup-winning captain from Pakistan is the next player on the list. Currently the Prime Minister of his nation, Imran Khan was a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s. A promising fast bowler, a good batsman and above all, an inspirational leader made him a role model to several youngsters.

In 1978, he was declared as the world’s 3rd fastest bowler in the world. He spent a lot of time in England pursuing his studies and playing cricket side by side. This made him an excellent swinger of the ball in the UK and a menacing threat to teams throughout the globe. Along with his exploits with the ball, he was a more than capable batsman too.

In 175 ODI matches, Khan scored 3709 runs at an average of 33.41 with 19 fifties and a hundred. In the bowling department, he managed to scalp 182 wickets in the same number of matches. He bowled with an average of 26.62 and an economy rate of 3.9.

9. Harbhajan Singh

‘Bhajji’ as fondly addressed by his fans, was one of the most successful Indian bowlers in the 2000s. An off-spinner who could bat a little bit in the lower order, he often made valuable contributions to the team and always remained in limelight. His most important asset throughout his career has been his ability to stop the flow of runs.

Harbhajan was an integral part of the teams which won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. The Jalandhar-born player is a great spinner of the ball and even managed to scalp a hat-trick in Test Cricket. Even today, in IPL he has proved his value with the ball and featured regularly in all the matches.

In his 236 match ODI career, he scalped 269 wickets at an average of 33.36 and an economy rate of 4.3. These include 3 five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls. In this playing XI, he will play the role of the lead spinner.

10. Wasim Akram

The ‘Sultan of Swing’ is one of the greatest and most unique bowlers to have played cricket. Akram had an imposing presence in the 90s and his partnership with Waqar Younis instilled tremors in the hearts of opponents. Presently, he is presenting his opinions on the game by working as a commentator.

Though his career was marred by controversies, he never let it affect his own performances. He was often involved in match-fixing and ball-tampering allegations ultimately leading to permanent banishment from captaincy in 1996. Despite this, he managed to scalp a boatload of wickets and even hattricks.

In his 356 match ODI career, he scalped 502 wickets at an average of 23.53 and economy of 3.9. He also managed to score 3717 runs with 6 fifties to his name. In this playing XI, he will spearhead the pace attack.

11. Waqar Younis

Forming other part of the deadly Pakistani duo of the 1990s was the seamer from Vehari, Punjab (Pakistan). ‘The Burewala Express’ was one of the most feared bowlers in the world and formed a terrifying partnership with Wasim Akram. Both of them were also referred as ‘The Two W’s’.

Unlike other bowlers of his time, Waqar adopted unconventional methods to trouble the batsmen. Rejecting the trend of bowling fast and short, he bowled full and quick and aimed for the batsmen’s toes. He was also quite effective with the old ball because of his reverse swing.

In his 262 match ODI career, he scalped 416 wickets at an average of 23.84 and an economy of 4.69. These excellent bowling figures also included 13 five-wicket and 14 four-wicket hauls. In this playing XI, he will accompany other half of ‘The Two W’s’ in the pace attack.