Virat Kohli, Babar Azam To Play In Same Team? This Tournament May Return After 2 Decades
Tavengwa Mukuhlani, the ACA’s interim chair, confirmed that talks with the ACC and other African stakeholders are progressing. He mentioned that both regions are eager to see the tournament return, which would bring together the best of Asian and African cricket.
The Afro-Asia Cup, a prestigious cricket tournament that was last held nearly two decades ago, could soon make a comeback. The Africa Cricket Association (ACA) is in talks with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to revive this iconic series, which has the potential to bring together cricketing superstars like India's Virat Kohli and Pakistan's Babar Azam on the same team, a scenario that would undoubtedly excite fans from both countries.
The ACA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) highlighted the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup as a key priority, alongside the creation of a new T20 competition modeled on the Indian Premier League (IPL) called the Africa Premier League. The Afro-Asia Cup, which initially took place in 2005 and 2007, has only seen two editions but garnered immense fan support. The series offers a rare opportunity for players from Asia and Africa to compete side by side, something that hasn’t been witnessed in recent years due to limited bilateral encounters between countries like India and Pakistan.
In the past, the tournament saw some of the biggest names in cricket, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and M.S. Dhoni representing the Asia XI, while the Africa XI boasted players like Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. The return of this tournament would not only excite cricket fans but also offer a platform to bridge divides between nations through the power of sport.
Tavengwa Mukuhlani, the ACA’s interim chair, confirmed that talks with the ACC and other African stakeholders are progressing. He mentioned that both regions are eager to see the tournament return, which would bring together the best of Asian and African cricket.
Alongside the Afro-Asia Cup, the ACA is also focused on launching the Africa Premier League, a franchise-based T20 league inspired by the IPL model, aimed at boosting the profile of African cricket. The ACA has already begun securing sponsorships for the league, which is expected to create more opportunities for African cricketers to showcase their talent on a global stage.
The revival of the Afro-Asia Cup and the launch of the Africa Premier League represent a significant step forward in promoting cricket across both continents, offering a platform for emerging cricketers to shine alongside established stars.
