Lamichhane added to World XI for charity match at Lord's; Shakib withdraws

Nepal's teenage legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane's career will feature another milestone at the end of May. The 17-year-old, who played a major role in Nepal gaining ODI status and recently became the first Nepal player to play in the IPL, has been named in the World XI squad that will take on West Indies at Lord's on May 31, in the Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge match.

Lamichhane took 13 wickets in the recently concluded ICC World Cup Qualifier, where Nepal finished eighth and consequently earned ODI status. He joins a team - led by Eoin Morgan - that features the likes of Shahid Afridi, Hardik Pandya and Rashid Khan, who will come together to raise funds to rebuild and restore five cricket venues in the Caribbean that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.

"I am privileged to have been chosen to be part of the ICC World XI against the Windies. It is an honour for the entire country and passionate followers of Nepal cricket, as well as an indicator that we are making our mark on the international game," Lamichhane said. "Training, sharing the dressing room and playing with some of the trendsetters who we saw on television while growing up is something I look forward to."

This won't, however, be Lamichhane's debut at Lord's. He had been part of the Nepal team that defended 217 against MCC in 2016.

"What can I say about Lord's, it's the home of cricket, it's a complete history of cricket and a dream venue for any cricketer," Lamichhane said. "To play there in 2016 was a memorable occasion, which I look forward to reliving later this month."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the squad, saying he needs to rest before the Afghanistan series. His replacement hasn't been announced.

World XI squad: Eoin Morgan (capt.), Dinesh Karthik, Mitchell McClenaghan, Hardik Pandya, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan, Luke Ronchi, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Tamim Iqbal, Sandeep Lamichhane