Afridi to lead World XI in Lord's fund-raiser, Morgan ruled out

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead the ICC World XI against West Indies after Eoin Morgan was ruled out of the encounter with a fractured finger for the exhibition T20 International at the Lord’s.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead the ICC World XI against West Indies after Eoin Morgan was ruled out of the encounter with a fractured finger for the exhibition T20 International at the Lord’s.

All the proceeds from the fund-raiser at the Lord's will be used to redevelop stadia in the Caribbean, damaged due to hurricanes last year.

"Shahid Afridi will captain the ICC World XI in the absence of Eoin Morgan," the International Cricket Council tweeted.

NEWS: Shahid Afridi will captain the ICC World XI in the absence of Eoin Morgan.

Are you excited 🇵🇰 fans?

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— ICC (@ICC) May 29, 2018

Morgan suffered the injury while fielding at backward point during a Middlesex game against Somerset at Taunton on Sunday as a ball caught him on the top of the ring finger on his right hand.

Morgan's compatriot Sam Billings will take his place in the squad. Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran and England fast bowler Tymal Mills were also added to the World XI squad.

"It's a great honour to be leading the ICC World XI side, that too for such a good cause. I'm sure all the players from either side are looking forward to the match with great enthusiasm and people will get to see some high-quality cricket on Thursday," Afridi wrote on his twitter handle.

“It’s a great honour to be leading the ICC World XI side, that too for such a good cause. I’m sure all the players from either side are looking forward to the match with great enthusiasm and people will get to see some high-quality cricket on Thursday.”

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) May 29, 2018