A dream lineup it would be

As one sees the Pakistan team fighting to win their first match of the series against the home English side, there has been a lot of discussion on the sides of what could have been. Yes, what could have been if India and Pakistan were not two different countries, fighting against each other but ONE. The One country it was before Independence. What would be the test line-up be today? Quite a powerful team, wouldnt it be?


Lets see the playing eleven first

• Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir would be the ideal openers in this team with Salman Butt coming close to breaking the partnership. He will be present in the squad for any injury concerns but not good enough to make the playing eleven.
• Rahul Dravid still holds his side in the Indian team and that is a good reason why he should be playing in this Combined XI. There are not many players in the current Pakistan team who can boast of his numbers other than Mohammed Yusuf but with the veteran struggling to make his mark, Dravid holds his place.
• Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman occupy the next two slots in the batting lineup thanks to their great performances as well as recent form.
• For the 6th batsmen slot, I am more comfortable with the youth of Umar Akmal rather than that of Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh. His talent is visible for everyone to see and playing in such a team will make his temperament only better.
• Wicket-keeper and Captain - no further questions. It is the Indian skipper, MS Dhoni.
• The spinner slot is taken by Saeed Ajmal with Harbhajan being the backup bowler in the squad. Ajmal has been bowling quite well in recent times coinciding with Bhajji's lack of form. 
• Umar Gul, Mohammed Aasif, Zaheer Khan form the pace bowling trio who will be responsible for the new ball attack.  Mohammed Aamer will be the other bowler who will be available for other options. 

With this fourteen, it is highly unlikely that any team would be able to beat in any conditions. This team can be managed by a strong personality like Sunil Gavaskar or Imran Khan. Why not? After all, it is a nice dream for one to have, right?

What do you think? Is there anyone else who will make the team as of today?