The Afro-Asia Cup might be revived (Photo by by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
The prospect of cricketers from foes India and Pakistan teaming up has moved a step closer with a reboot of the Afro-Asia Cup on the cards.
As I first reported in June 2022, a proposed update of the original version – played in 2005 and 2007 – has long been in the works. Back then it was initiated by all powerful India boss Jay Shah, who headed the Asian Cricket Council, then African Cricket Association chair Sumod Damodar and ACC head of development Mahinda Vallipuram.
The Afro-Asia Cup was planned to be held in mid-2023 and played in the T20 format. An annual fixture was mooted and set to feature some players from Associate nations. Pathways were also hoped to be established, including U16 and U19 Afro-Asia Cups, and women’s equivalents.
But the plans fizzled out amid apparent dysfunction within the ACA, where regional powers South Africa and Zimbabwe have stepped in to stabilize the body that coordinates the development of cricket in Africa.
After the ACA’s recent AGM, it was publicly revealed that there was momentum behind the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup. “The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organisation, and the appetite is huge from both ends,” said Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA, at a press conference.
“We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived.”
The Afro-Asia Cup was played in 2005 and 2007 (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
As I first reported last month, the planned revival had seemingly been given some momentum with the ascension of Shah as International Cricket Council chair, Vallipuram’s elevation to the ICC board and Damodar returning to the influential Chief Executives’ Committee.
“Personally, I am very hurt that it (Afro-Asia Cup) didn’t happen,” Damodar told me last month. “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.”
Played in 2005 and 2007 under the 50-over format before petering out due to broadcast and political issues, the Asian XI featured Pakistan stars Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi rubbing shoulders with India counterparts Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. The African XI was a mix of players from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
The two events were rare occurrences of Indian and Pakistani players joining forces on the same team. Those matches were held before the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 and subsequent politicking from the bitter neighbors spilled into cricket where the countries don’t play each other in bilaterals.
The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was in 2012-13 and they haven’t played Tests against each other since 2007. Matches between the countries are only played in major tournaments like World Cups and Asia Cups, blockbuster fixtures watched by a viewership of between 300 million to 500 million.
Matches between the countries affects the national psyche of the countries and used as a political football by the warring governments.
Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma could team up if the Afro-Asia Cup gets off the ground (Photo by Alex … [+]
Pakistan and India chiefs remain at loggerheads amid tense discussions over the upcoming Champions Trophy. It is the first time Pakistan is hosting an ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, but India have not played there since 2008.
Pakistan are adamant that India will be making a long-awaited return, but a hybrid format, as was the case at last year’s Asia Cup with matches played in Sri Lanka, is likely to be shoehorned into the event.
“These matches (Afro-Asia Cup) could break down barriers that are there politically,” Damodar said. “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.”
