Top Pakistan and India cricketers may feature in the same team as a recent shift in cricketing bodies may lead to the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup.
The Afro-Asia Cup, held in 2005 and 2007, featured two teams Asia XI, comprising top sub-continent teams including Pakistan and India, while South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya combined to form the Africa XI.
The tournament gathered massive attention and applause from cricket fans around the world but broadcasting issues and political challenges resulted in its discontinuation after just two editions.
Days after the appointment of Jay Shah as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman, the discussions regarding the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup came to life.
The tournament was played in the One-Day format but its returning edition may be contested in T20 format.
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Furthermore, the chairman of the African Cricket Association (ACA) Samod Damodar provided an update on the matter and offered speculation as to whether the proposal will actually be implemented.
“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. Our members are regretting it. It needed to be pushed by Africa,” Damodar was quoted as saying in a Forbes’ report.
Damodar pinned high hopes for the Afro-Asia Cup, stating it can reduce the political tensions.
“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. With Mahinda now on the ICC board and Jay Shah running the ICC, that could bring a bit more momentum to this cause. Both of them have always been proactive in trying to make this happen,” he added.
For the unversed, reports regarding the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup also emerged in June 2022 which claimed that the tournament would make its return in mid-2023.