ASIA XI VS WORLD XI:

ASIA XI: Saeed Anwar, PA de Silva, Azharuddin, Jadeja, Mongia (keeper), Wasim Akram (captain), Chopra, Kumble, Saqlain, Srinath and Parsad.

WORLD XI: Johnson, Stewart (keeper and capatain), Hussain, Astel, Thorpe, S Law, Crains, Hollioake, Streak and Mullally.

A similar match was played in Bangladesh, quite some time ago that proved to be a real thriller as Beaven player a remomberable innings. In the final over 23 runs were required and they made 22. Bowler was Abdul Razzaq and of the last ball six runs were required to win the match for World XI but a four was struck by Beaven and World XI lost the match by just one run. It really proved to be a thriller.

At Oval, another match was played for a noble cause. World XI scored 219 for loss of 8 wickets which featured a brilliant 51 from Astle and 45 from Hussain. It was a good partnership which lifted their score from 2-16 to 3-113 when Hussain was caught by Kumble of Chopra. Hollioake and Streak played quick knocks at the end.

Saqlain was the bowling hero for Asia XI as he took 4/45 in ten overs. Chopra being the second most successful bowler who took 2/37 in 8 overs. Wasim and Srinath were miser as ever and conceded around 3 runs per over.

Another highlight of World XI inning was 22 extras. Tendulkar who was the announced captain of Asia XI could not play due to health problems.

Saeed and de Silva came to pitch to chase 220 that seemed quite an easy task but it proved to be more than achievable. A quick partnership of 50 of 10 overs was a good platform but then the wickets started to fell and this just continued as Asia XI could not get any good enough partnership after that. A de Silva was the highest scorer with 35.

Mullally and Cairns both took 3 wickets as Asia XI innings finished at score of 204 of 48.5 overs. Azharuddin played a genuine Azharuddin knock and scored 33 off 48 balls, which featured 4 fours.

The match was played to raise funds for the Oval ground and the 17,500 crowd watch an intresting match. Although crowd, mainly British Asian was a bit disappointed due to absence of Tendulkar yet they saw a good game going right down to the wire as Asia XI lost by only 15 runs.

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