Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Afro-Asia Cup set to be revived after nearly twenty years

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The revival of the Afro-Asia Cup – a collection of white-ball matches performed between an Asian XI and an African XI – is on the playing cards in accordance with the Africa Cricket Affiliation (ACA). The continental physique held its AGM on Saturday, the place it appointed a six-person interim committee to restructure the ACA and enhance the variety of aggressive alternatives for gamers on the continent.

One in all its goals is to achieve out to different organisations, such because the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and discover cross-continental alternatives such because the Afro-Asia Cup. The event was solely performed twice earlier than, in 2005 in South Africa and 2007 in India. A 3rd version, scheduled for 2009 in Kenya, by no means occurred however nearly twenty years later, it might occur in spite of everything. Ought to the event happen once more, it presents a novel alternative for gamers from each India and Pakistan – who don’t play bilateral cricket towards one another at the moment – to be a part of the identical Asia XI workforce.

“The Afro-Asia Cup, other than the cricket, brings the much-needed monetary enter to the organisation, and the urge for food is large from each ends,” Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA, who can also be the Zimbabwe Cricket Chair, mentioned at a press convention. “Now we have had conversations with our counterparts throughout the Asia Cricket Council, and clearly our African contingents, they need the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived.”

Asian Cricket Council representatives had not responded to ESPNcricinfo on the time of publication concerning the return of the Afro-Asia Cup, which has been dominated by Asia. In 2005, the three-match ODI collection was shared one-all after a rained out ultimate sport and in 2007, Asia XI received all three matches.

The 2005 Asia squad was captained by Inzamam-ul-Haq and included Rahul Dravid, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble whereas the 2007 Asia XI squad included MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar alongside Mohammed Asif, Mohammed Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar. On the time, relations between India and Pakistan have been heat on and off the cricket discipline, and the 2 international locations performed common bilateral cricket. The 2008 Mumbai assaults modified that equation, nevertheless, and the perimeters have performed one white-ball bilateral collection since, in 2012-13. They’ve solely performed in ICC occasions in any other case, with Pakistan touring to India on a few events: India haven’t performed in Pakistan because the 2008 Asia Cup.

The ACA can also be planning to launch a “mini model of the IPL,” in accordance with CEO Cassim Suliman, known as the Africa Premier League, although it stays within the planning section. “We’re planning to, after board approval, deliver the Africa Premier League. That is what we’re busy with in the meanwhile on the sponsorship. As soon as that comes collectively, we’ll go to the board, the board will okay it, after which we’ll take it from there,” he mentioned. “It is the mini imaginative and prescient of the IPL. So we’re taking that idea of the IPL and driving that idea to make sure that everyone advantages in that side. So far as the place we will play, the board will determine. We’ll take a look at services which can be going to warrant spectator viewership. It is nonetheless on the preliminary stage. Clearly, we wish to do issues proper the primary time to verify we get the ball rolling on it. However the board will determine precisely who’s internet hosting and from there, we’ll take it to them from there. It will be just like the IPL format, however with a decrease standing after which we’ll develop it from there.”

There’s at the moment just one franchise event in Africa, South Africa’s SA20, however Mukuhlani was hopeful {that a} South African franchise could possibly be concerned within the Africa Premier League and dedicated Zimbabwean gamers to the proposed event. “The participation of South Africa and Zimbabwe offers context to the competitors, and there may be additionally the expertise that the upcoming groups get from enjoying alongside gamers from South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he mentioned. “So sure, we’ll take part.”


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