Cricketbuzztoday: Afro-Asia Cup was played in 2007. The News of the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup has sparked excitement among cricket fans around the world, especially in the sub-continent. There is a possibility of Indian and Pakistani players playing together.
The possibility of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah alongside Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi is tantalizing but still uncertain.
While the idea has been floated, significant hurdles remain. With leadership changes in international cricket governance, including Jay Shah’s role at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the potential appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head, such intercontinental tournaments might take longer to materialize than initially anticipated.
Reviving the Afro-Asia Cup
Discussions around reviving the Afro-Asia Cup began a few years ago. Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the head of the ACC, has shown interest in the idea. However, the process is still in its early stages, and considerable work is needed before it can become a reality.
“We have made efforts to bring back the Afro-Asia Cup. Jay Shah has been supportive, and Mahinda Vallipuram, who is an ICC director and head of Malaysia Cricket, has been part of the discussions,” said Sumod Damodar, a key figure in the ICC and the head of Botswana Cricket.
Damodar was involved in the initial development of the Afro-Asia Cup, which first took place in 2005 and 2007. The original plan involved a business model where 80% of the revenue would go to African cricket, while Asian boards would receive 10%. However, issues with broadcasters prevented the tournament from continuing.
Can Babar And Virat Kohli Play Together?
With Jay Shah becoming president of ICC, there is talks of revival of cricket in its essence. There is a possibility of Babar And Rizwan playing for the Asian Side if the Afro-Asia Cup Revives.
In 2007 Afro-Asia Cup, Indian and Pakistani Players played together including the likes of Saurav Ganguli, MS Dhoni, Muhammad Asif, and Shoaib Akhtar etc.
Prospects for the Afro-Asia Cup
Under the revived proposal, matches between Asian and African teams would take place at various levels: development (under-19s), emerging talent, and top-tier international players. The goal is to foster greater engagement between the continents and grow cricket at all levels.
While the idea is promising, key decisions about the frequency of the tournament—whether it will be annual or biennial—will depend on the players’ schedules, Future Tours Programme (FTP), and other international commitments. Damodar, who has been closely involved in the discussions, says much of the planning is still in progress and will likely move forward after ongoing changes in the ICC and ACC power structures are completed.
Challenges In Holding Afro-Asia Cup
Despite the positive talks, reviving the Afro-Asia Cup faces several challenges. The restructuring of the ICC and ACC, combined with busy international cricket schedules, makes it difficult to finalize details.
Broadcasters’ Role In Afro-Asia Cup
After 2007 the Afro-Asia Cup was discontinued due to the loss of interest of Broadcasters. Therefore, broadcasting and commercial agreements will play a crucial role in determining the tournament’s feasibility.
Is Afro-Asia Cup A Possibility
For now, cricket fans will have to wait and see if this exciting event, which has the potential to unite some of the biggest names in the sport, can be successfully revived. As discussions continue, the dream of seeing an all-star team from Asia and Africa compete remains alive, but there’s still a long way to go.
While the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup is not impossible, it is far from certain. Ongoing discussions and leadership changes in global cricket will influence the future of this unique tournament. Until then, fans can only speculate and hope for the return of this intercontinental showdown