Pakistan duo named for Lord's clash

Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have been named in a World XI that will play West Indies at Lord's next month in a match aimed to raise funds for the Caribbean islands badly damaged by hurricanes last year.

The Pakistan duo and Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera have been named to play for the World XI that will be captained by England skipper Eoin Morgan against a Windies side that will feature Chris Gayle and Andre Russell.

The match on May 31 is being staged to raise funds to rebuild and restore five major cricket venues at the heart of Caribbean communities that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

Venues impacted by the Hurricanes include the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, which was converted into a temporary camp for Barbuda refugees.

"I am humbled to have been selected for such a noble cause," Afridi said.

"Cricket is one big family and no matter how hard and tough we play against each other, there is tremendous comradery within the group.

"As such, it is our moral and professional obligation to stand up and support whenever and wherever we can, to assist our members, colleagues and cricket fans."

Lord's holds happy memories for the Pakistan duo, who won the ICC World T20 final against Sri Lanka there in 2009.

On Wednesday, the Windies named Russell in a national side for the first time since a 12-month doping ban, which ended earlier this year.

Russell last played for the West Indies in August 2016 but has blazed a stunning comeback trail since his return from his ban. He set the domestic scene alight for Jamaica and, while he underwhelmed while battling an injury in the Pakistan Super League, his IPL campaign for the Kolkata Knight Riders has been explosive.

In 12 balls he unleashed for 41 to blow the Daredevils away in Delhi on Tuesday, hitting six sixes, and he crashed 88 from 36 balls with a stunning 11 sixes against the Chennai Super Kings last week.