The Afro-Asia Cup, a highly anticipated cricket tournament that could see Indian and Pakistani players on the same team, is in talks for a revival after 18 years. If plans go forward, this would mark a significant moment for world cricket, with legendary players from rival nations coming together. The last editions of the Afro-Asia Cup took place in 2005 and 2007, where Asia XI and Africa XI teams featured the best talents from their respective regions. The tournament, which captured fans’ imaginations, was shelved due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, especially following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
However, discussions have resumed about bringing back the Afro-Asia Cup, possibly in a T20 format, to be contested by a star-studded roster. With India and Pakistan only facing each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup due to the severed bilateral cricketing ties, this event would be a rare and exciting opportunity for fans to witness top cricketers from both nations playing side by side.
Reviving the Dream Tournament
Jay Shah, expected to become the new ICC president in December, is reportedly set to discuss the tournament’s reboot, with hopes of staging it as soon as 2025. The Afro-Asia Cup originally featured iconic players like Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, Mahela Jayawardene, and Shoaib Akhtar. In its 2007 edition, MS Dhoni’s blazing 139-run innings captivated fans. The possible 2025 edition could feature cricketing superstars like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shaheen Afridi, creating a dream team for many.
Samod Damodar, Chairman of the African Cricket Association (ACA), expressed his disappointment over the tournament’s long hiatus but is optimistic about its return. “Personally, I am very hurt that the Afro-Asia Cup didn’t happen. There was not adequate momentum through the ACA, but it is being looked at again. Our members regret that it didn’t get the push it needed from Africa,” Damodar told Forbes.
India-Pakistan Dream Team
The most exciting aspect of the Afro-Asia Cup’s potential revival is the prospect of Indian and Pakistani cricketers playing as teammates, an alliance thought unimaginable in recent years. Seeing Kohli, Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and their Pakistani counterparts, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, sharing the field and celebrating wickets together would be a historic and memorable moment in cricket.
Beyond its sporting appeal, the Afro-Asia Cup could play a key role in improving relations between India and Pakistan. While political tensions have kept these two cricketing giants apart, this tournament could offer a unique platform to bridge gaps. Damodar emphasized the unifying power of the game, stating, “These matches could break down barriers that are there politically. Cricket can help build bridges rather than burn them. Players aren’t antagonistic against each other, and I’m sure they’d be up for it.”
A Missed Opportunity and a Second Chance
The Afro-Asia Cup nearly made a comeback in 2023, but internal issues within the ACA stalled its return. However, this time around, the tournament seems closer to being realized, with renewed energy and enthusiasm from cricketing boards. If successfully organized, it will not only be a cricketing spectacle but also a symbol of cooperation and unity across borders.
For cricket lovers worldwide, the Afro-Asia Cup would be a dream come true—an iconic tournament featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, competing together, not as rivals but as allies. This potential revival represents more than just cricket; it stands as a beacon of hope for better relations between nations through the shared love of the sport.If plans go forward, this would mark a significant moment for world cricket, with legendary players from rival nations coming together. The last editions of the Afro-Asia Cup took place in 2005 and 2007, where Asia XI and Africa XI teams featured the best talents from their respective regions. The tournament, which captured fans’ imaginations, was shelved due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, especially following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
However, discussions have resumed about bringing back the Afro-Asia Cup, possibly in a T20 format, to be contested by a star-studded roster. With India and Pakistan only facing each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup due to the severed bilateral cricketing ties, this event would be a rare and exciting opportunity for fans to witness top cricketers from both nations playing side by side.
Reviving the Dream Tournament
Jay Shah, expected to become the new ICC president in December, is reportedly set to discuss the tournament’s reboot, with hopes of staging it as soon as 2025. The Afro-Asia Cup originally featured iconic players like Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, Mahela Jayawardene, and Shoaib Akhtar. In its 2007 edition, MS Dhoni’s blazing 139-run innings captivated fans. The possible 2025 edition could feature cricketing superstars like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shaheen Afridi, creating a dream team for many.
Samod Damodar, Chairman of the African Cricket Association (ACA), expressed his disappointment over the tournament’s long hiatus but is optimistic about its return. “Personally, I am very hurt that the Afro-Asia Cup didn’t happen. There was not adequate momentum through the ACA, but it is being looked at again. Our members regret that it didn’t get the push it needed from Africa,” Damodar told Forbes.
India-Pakistan Dream Team
The most exciting aspect of the Afro-Asia Cup’s potential revival is the prospect of Indian and Pakistani cricketers playing as teammates, an alliance thought unimaginable in recent years. Seeing Kohli, Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and their Pakistani counterparts, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, sharing the field and celebrating wickets together would be a historic and memorable moment in cricket.
Beyond its sporting appeal, the Afro-Asia Cup could play a key role in improving relations between India and Pakistan. While political tensions have kept these two cricketing giants apart, this tournament could offer a unique platform to bridge gaps. Damodar emphasized the unifying power of the game, stating, “These matches could break down barriers that are there politically. Cricket can help build bridges rather than burn them. Players aren’t antagonistic against each other, and I’m sure they’d be up for it.”
A Missed Opportunity and a Second Chance
The Afro-Asia Cup nearly made a comeback in 2023, but internal issues within the ACA stalled its return. However, this time around, the tournament seems closer to being realized, with renewed energy and enthusiasm from cricketing boards. If successfully organized, it will not only be a cricketing spectacle but also a symbol of cooperation and unity across borders.
For cricket lovers worldwide, the Afro-Asia Cup would be a dream come true—an iconic tournament featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, competing together, not as rivals but as allies. This potential revival represents more than just cricket; it stands as a beacon of hope for better relations between nations through the shared love of the sport.. If plans go forward, this would mark a significant moment for world cricket, with legendary players from rival nations coming together. The last editions of the Afro-Asia Cup took place in 2005 and 2007, where Asia XI and Africa XI teams featured the best talents from their respective regions. The tournament, which captured fans’ imaginations, was shelved due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, especially following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
However, discussions have resumed about bringing back the Afro-Asia Cup, possibly in a T20 format, to be contested by a star-studded roster. With India and Pakistan only facing each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup due to the severed bilateral cricketing ties, this event would be a rare and exciting opportunity for fans to witness top cricketers from both nations playing side by side.
Reviving the Dream Tournament
Jay Shah, expected to become the new ICC president in December, is reportedly set to discuss the tournament’s reboot, with hopes of staging it as soon as 2025. The Afro-Asia Cup originally featured iconic players like Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, Mahela Jayawardene, and Shoaib Akhtar. In its 2007 edition, MS Dhoni’s blazing 139-run innings captivated fans. The possible 2025 edition could feature cricketing superstars like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shaheen Afridi, creating a dream team for many.
Samod Damodar, Chairman of the African Cricket Association (ACA), expressed his disappointment over the tournament’s long hiatus but is optimistic about its return. “Personally, I am very hurt that the Afro-Asia Cup didn’t happen. There was not adequate momentum through the ACA, but it is being looked at again. Our members regret that it didn’t get the push it needed from Africa,” Damodar told Forbes.
India-Pakistan Dream Team
The most exciting aspect of the Afro-Asia Cup’s potential revival is the prospect of Indian and Pakistani cricketers playing as teammates, an alliance thought unimaginable in recent years. Seeing Kohli, Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and their Pakistani counterparts, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, sharing the field and celebrating wickets together would be a historic and memorable moment in cricket.
Beyond its sporting appeal, the Afro-Asia Cup could play a key role in improving relations between India and Pakistan. While political tensions have kept these two cricketing giants apart, this tournament could offer a unique platform to bridge gaps. Damodar emphasized the unifying power of the game, stating, “These matches could break down barriers that are there politically. Cricket can help build bridges rather than burn them. Players aren’t antagonistic against each other, and I’m sure they’d be up for it.”
A Missed Opportunity and a Second Chance
The Afro-Asia Cup nearly made a comeback in 2023, but internal issues within the ACA stalled its return. However, this time around, the tournament seems closer to being realized, with renewed energy and enthusiasm from cricketing boards. If successfully organized, it will not only be a cricketing spectacle but also a symbol of cooperation and unity across borders.
For cricket lovers worldwide, the Afro-Asia Cup would be a dream come true—an iconic tournament featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, competing together, not as rivals but as allies. This potential revival represents more than just cricket; it stands as a beacon of hope for better relations between nations through the shared love of the sport.