🌟 Sikandar Raza Names His All-Time T20I XI: Fans Stunned by Pakistan Stars’ Inclusion
Zimbabwe’s cricket icon and current T20I captain Sikandar Raza has created massive buzz in the cricket world after revealing his all-time T20I dream team. His picks — featuring Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahid Afridi — have sent social media into overdrive, sparking debates among fans about who truly defines greatness in the shortest format of the game.
In an interview with a local sports platform, Raza carefully crafted a lineup combining power hitters, all-rounders, and world-class bowlers, showing his deep understanding of modern cricket balance. His dream XI reflects a blend of explosive batting, tactical all-round skills, and fiery pace — the hallmarks of successful T20 cricket.
🧢 Raza’s Dream T20I XI — A Star-Studded Lineup
Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma (C), Nicholas Pooran (WK), AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen, Kieron Pollard, Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc
💥 Power-Packed Openers: Chris Gayle & Rohit Sharma Lead the Charge
When it comes to T20 cricket, few names carry the same level of fear as Chris Gayle — the self-proclaimed “Universe Boss.” Sikandar Raza’s choice to open with Gayle isn’t surprising. Gayle has rewritten T20 history with his explosive batting, holding records for the most T20 centuries (22) and over 14,000 T20 runs across leagues worldwide.
Beside him stands Rohit Sharma, India’s current captain and one of the most technically elegant limited-overs batsmen. Known for his effortless timing and six-hitting ability, Rohit’s calm leadership and consistent performances make him the ideal captain for Raza’s dream team.
🧠 Why This Opening Duo Works
Gayle brings brute power; Rohit brings timing and tactical intelligence. Together, they represent the perfect balance of aggression and control, ensuring any bowling attack faces early chaos.
🧤 Middle-Order Genius: Pooran, de Villiers & Klaasen Bring the Firepower
At number three, Raza has gone for Nicholas Pooran, a wicketkeeper-batsman known for his wristy elegance and fearless shot-making. Pooran’s ability to rotate strike and accelerate during the middle overs makes him a vital cog in the T20 machine.
Next up is AB de Villiers — widely regarded as the most versatile batsman in T20 history. His 360-degree batting style redefined power-hitting, making him a nightmare for bowlers during his prime years with South Africa and in the IPL.
Heinrich Klaasen, meanwhile, has emerged as one of modern T20’s most destructive hitters. His aggressive play against spin and pace alike has made him a standout performer in global leagues like the IPL and SA20.
🔥 The Middle Order’s Role in T20 Dynamics
A strong middle order can turn average starts into massive totals. With Pooran, de Villiers, and Klaasen, Raza’s lineup ensures relentless pressure — no respite for bowlers from overs 7 to 16.
⚡️ The All-Rounder Core: Pollard, Jadeja & Rashid — The Game-Changers
A T20 team without all-rounders lacks depth. Raza’s trio — Kieron Pollard, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rashid Khan — form an exceptional backbone.
💪 Kieron Pollard — The Finisher Supreme
Pollard’s T20 reputation speaks for itself. With over 600 T20 matches and more than 11,000 runs, his ability to finish innings and chip in with medium pace makes him a legend of the format.
🌿 Ravindra Jadeja — The Tactical Maestro
Jadeja brings left-arm spin, quick running, and explosive lower-order hitting. His fielding alone can shift match momentum, making him one of cricket’s most complete modern all-rounders.
🌀 Rashid Khan — The Spin Wizard
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has become synonymous with T20 brilliance. His wicket-taking consistency and mystery spin make him indispensable in any lineup. Raza’s inclusion of Rashid emphasizes the growing global respect for Afghan cricket talent.
🚀 The Pace Battery: Shaheen, Bumrah & Starc — A Dream Attack
💣 Shaheen Shah Afridi — Pakistan’s Left-Arm Thunderbolt
Raza’s decision to include Shaheen Afridi in his all-time XI has thrilled Pakistani fans. Afridi’s ability to swing the new ball at high pace and take early wickets has made him a global superstar.
In T20Is, Shaheen’s strike rate and ability to dismiss top-order batsmen make him one of the most feared bowlers in the powerplay. His 2021 T20 World Cup spell against India remains etched in cricket history.
🔥 Jasprit Bumrah — The Death Over King
India’s Bumrah revolutionized death bowling with pinpoint yorkers and deceptive pace variations. His economy rate in the toughest overs makes him one of the most valuable bowlers of his generation.
🌊 Mitchell Starc — The Left-Arm Missile
Starc completes the pace trio with his trademark inswinging yorkers. His record in ICC tournaments and pressure situations makes him a lethal asset, perfectly complementing Bumrah and Shaheen.
Together, these three create a nightmare for any batting lineup — offering speed, swing, and precision from both ends.
🌍 Raza’s Top Five All-Rounders of All Time 🌟
During the same discussion, Sikandar Raza was asked to name his top five all-rounders of all time, and his list paid homage to cricketing legends:
Jacques Kallis, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahid Afridi, Ravindra Jadeja, and DJ Bravo.
🦁 Shahid Afridi — Pakistan’s Explosive Icon
Among them, the inclusion of Shahid Afridi stands out for fans in Pakistan. Known for his fearless approach and fiery leg-spin, Afridi remains a T20 pioneer — one of the first true entertainers of modern cricket.
Afridi’s long career, aggressive captaincy, and ability to win matches single-handedly have kept him an enduring name in global T20 discussions.
🗣️ Social Media Reacts: Fans Debate Raza’s Surprising Selections
Raza’s XI has ignited heated debates across social media. While fans applauded his inclusion of Shaheen and Shahid Afridi, some questioned the omission of modern-day stars like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and Jos Buttler.
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #RazaXI, #ShaheenAfridi, and #CricketGOATs began trending within hours of the interview.
One fan wrote:
“Finally someone appreciates Shaheen’s impact in T20s. That guy’s first overs can change the game instantly!”
Another added:
“No Babar? No Kohli? But still a solid XI — Raza clearly values match-winners over stats.”
🧩 Analysis: What Makes Raza’s XI So Balanced?
⚔️ Batting Depth
With Gayle, Rohit, Pooran, de Villiers, and Klaasen, this team has explosive hitting from top to bottom.
🛡️ Bowling Variety
Afridi’s swing, Bumrah’s death overs, Starc’s left-arm angle, and Rashid-Jadeja’s spin partnership offer variety few teams can match.
🏆 All-Round Impact
Pollard and Jadeja’s ability to influence both innings makes Raza’s XI nearly unbeatable on paper.
💬 Expert Take: Why Shaheen Deserves His Spot
Shaheen Afridi’s inclusion underlines how much respect he commands among global players. His early breakthroughs and powerplay dominance often set the tone for Pakistan’s victories.
From the 2021 T20 World Cup heroics to his stellar run in the PSL, Shaheen has proven to be one of the most match-winning bowlers in world cricket.
🕊️ The Afridi Legacy: Shahid & Shaheen Carry Pakistan’s Flame
Having both Afridis — one a veteran, the other a rising legend — in the same discussion symbolizes Pakistan’s unmatched pace and passion legacy.
Shahid Afridi defined early T20s with fearless aggression, while Shaheen carries that same fire into modern cricket. Together, they represent Pakistan’s cricket DNA: bold, unpredictable, and brilliant.
🧭 What This Reveals About Raza’s Cricket Philosophy
Sikandar Raza’s picks reveal his deep respect for players who can change the game in an instant, rather than those who merely accumulate runs. His XI favors impact players — men capable of producing moments of brilliance rather than consistency alone.
This mindset echoes Raza’s own playing style — bold, fearless, and unorthodox. He values aggression, flair, and unpredictability — the essence of modern T20 cricket.
🏁 Conclusion: Raza’s XI — A True Celebration of Global T20 Talent
Sikandar Raza’s dream XI captures the heart of T20 cricket — a mix of power, skill, and entertainment. From Gayle’s towering sixes to Shaheen’s deadly inswingers and Afridi’s iconic celebrations, it’s a lineup built for fireworks.
His recognition of Pakistan’s talent shows the growing respect for emerging cricketing nations and the interconnected nature of modern T20 leagues.
Whether fans agree with his selections or not, one thing’s clear — Raza’s XI reflects the evolving DNA of cricket’s most thrilling format.