Sourav Ganguly [Images] would lead the Asian XI cricket team which would take on Ricky Ponting-led World XI in Australia next week for the benefit of tsunami victims.

Sachin Tendulkar [Images], who has been advised rest, was also included in the team on his personal request, Asian Cricket Council President Jagmohan Dalmiya announced in Kolkata on Monday.

Tendulkar, who is undergoing rehabilitation, personally called up to express his willingness to be included in the team since the match was for a noble cause, Dalmiya said.

Tendulkar's request was favourably considered by the selectors and he has been included in the team, so "if necessary he may field or bowl in the match," he said.

The team has six Indians, five Sri Lankans, two Pakistanis and one Bangladeshi.

The first match will be played at Melbourne and the return match would be held in February in either India or Sri Lanka [Images].

Team: Sourav Ganguly (India - Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya [Images] (Sri Lanka), Virender Sehwag [Images] (India), Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka), Rahul Dravid [Images] (India), Yousuf Youhana (Pakistan), Alok Kapali (Bangladesh), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Chaminda Vaas [Images] (Sri Lanka), Shoaib Akhtar [Images] (Pakistan), Zaheer Khan [Images] (India), Anil Kumble [Images] (India), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) and Sachin Tendulkar (India).