With Jay Shah taking over as ICC chairman at the end of the year, the popular Afro-Asia Cup could be revived which could see a combined Asia XI featuring players from India and Pakistan in same side.
In what should come as music to the ears of all cricket fans around the world, one of the most successful cricket tournaments from the early 2000s – the Afro-Asia Cup – maybe getting ready for a reboot soon if new International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah has his way. The Afro-Asia Cup was held twice in 2005 and 2007 and featured combined Asia XI taking on Africa XI with players from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya in the latter.
The last of the Afro-Asia Cup was held in Chennai back in 2007 where India’s MS Dhoni smashed a brilliant 139 not out off 97 balls with 5 sixes and 15 fours while Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene scored 107 as Asia XI posted 331 and defeated Africa XI by 13 runs. The Asia side featured the likes of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni with former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf joining them apart from the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya in the star-studded side.
If the Afro-Asia Cup reboot does take place, cricket fans could witness dream team from Asia witnessing the likes of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam batting together in the same side while pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi combining with the ball.
The Afro-Asia Cup was last held in 2007, featuring India and Pakistan players, representing Asia XI.
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The Afro-Asia Cup was originally planned to be held in mid-2023 and played in the T20 format. An annual fixture was proposed and set to feature some players from Associate nations as well.
“Personally, I am very hurt that it (Afro-Asia Cup) didn’t happen. There was not adequate momentum through the ACA, but it is being looked at again. I think it was basically a lack of understanding and not buying into the concept,” African Cricket Association chairman Samod Damodar was quoted as saying by Forbes.
The first-ever Afro-Asia Cup was played in 2005 with the Asia XI side featuring Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and Shoaib Akhtar.
“These matches could break down barriers that are there politically. Cricket can help build the bridges rather than burn it up. I don’t personally believe that players are antagonistic against each other, so I’m sure they would be up for it,” Damodar added.