The Afro-Asia Cup was a series of charity matches between Asian XIs and African XIs in the mid-2000s. The first Afro-Asia Cup was held in 2005 and the second in 2007. Players like Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Zaheer Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Anil Kumble and Shahid Afridi played for the same team in Asia. On the other hand, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis and Tatenda Taibu played for the same team in Africa.
According to a report by Forbes, the Afro-Asia Cup is “being reconsidered” and could be revived.
“Personally, I was very hurt that (the Afro-Asia Cup) didn’t happen,” Damodar told me. “There was no proper impetus through the ACA, but it is being revisited. I think there was a fundamental lack of understanding and acceptance of the concept,” former African Cricket Council president Sumodh Damodar told Forbes. “Our members are regretting it. It should have been Africa that took the initiative.”
If the tournament does take place, there is a chance that Virat Kohli will team up with Babar Azam in the middle or Shaheen Afridi will bowl alongside Jasprit Bhuma.
The last time India played a bilateral series against Pakistan was in 2012-13. The two teams have not played a Test match against each other since 2007.
“These games can break down the barriers that exist politically,” said Damodar. “Cricket can help build bridges rather than burn them down. I personally don’t believe the players are hostile to each other, so I’m sure they will be happy to do so.”
According to reports, there were proposals to restart the tournament in 2022 between Asian Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah, then African Cricket Council president Sumodh Damodar and ACC development director Mahinda Balipuram.
Balipuram was re-elected to the ICC board last month. “With Mahinda now on the ICC board and Jay Shah running the ICC, this can bring a little more momentum to the cause,” said Damodar. “Both of them have always been very proactive in making this happen.”
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