Back in the mid-2000s, there were some international matches that saw an Asian XI play with an African XI and this is where two countries namely, India and Pakistan who have been bitter enemies for many years, allowed their cricketers such as MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Shahid Afridi as well Shoaib Akhtar come together in a show of friendship. This series was held in 2005 and 2007 under the name ‘Afro-Asia Cup’. It was indeed a novel idea because it brought together top cricketers from each continent to face-off.
As for Asia XI the players picked to represent it include those from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while Africa XI included cricketers from South Africa Zimbabwe and Kenya.
In 2005, however there was a limited-over series comprising three matches where after end of which it stood 1-1. A year later with regard to the same tournament staring again it had inclusive T20I as well. During this occasion Asia XI accomplished a clean sweep by winning only one T20I game and the whole ODI series 3-0 overall.
Circumstances have made there not to be the anticipated tournament as a result of geopolitics between India and Pakistan along with transmission problems.
Earlier reports indicated that plans were underway to refurbish the competition with a possible return in 2023 in T20 format. Nothing materialized though but as per recent news by Forbes, there is chance competition may be back soon.
Sumod Damodar who was once the head of Africa Cricket Association (ACA) regrets why they did not push harder for Afro-Asia Cup’s return, even though, it “is being considered again now”.
“Deeply I feel hurt by this (Afro-Asia Cup). Not enough momentum was created by ACA but now it is again considered.” I believe there was just some misunderstanding and maybe even lack of buying into the concept. Our members are expressing regrets on this. Africa should have taken up on it,” said Damodar about the topic during an interview with forbes.
If these efforts succeed, we may have players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah who may take part alongside Babar Azam among others alongside Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan who little did they know were among the best players in cricket globally.
Damodar believes that it is possible for new khaki-grape ICC chairman Jay Shah and head of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Mahinda Vallipuram to help.
“Well now because Mahinda is on ICC board while Jay Shah heads it as president, this could enhance our efforts further. They have continually worked towards achieving such goals as these,” thinks Damodar.
