LONDON: ICC World XI won the toss and elected to field first against WestIndies on Thursday at Lord’s.

The match is being staged to raise funds to rebuild and restore five majorcricket venues in the Caribbean that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma andMaria last year.

Windies skipper Carlos Brathwaite is pretty happy to be batting first. “Weget to do what we wanted,” he says. “Thanks to guys for coming here. Togive their time and share our experiences at the Home of Cricket for aworthy cause.”

Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi is leading the ICC World XI againstthe West Indies in place of England’s Eoin Morgan, who withdrew due to afractured finger.

“It’s look overcast,” said Afridi. “It’s an honor to be part of this game.I’m carrying an injury from the last two months so lets see how things go.”The other cricketer who is representing Pakistan in the World XI today isShoaib Malik.