Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and others from India and Pakistan might play together as a team. As per reports from Cricbuzz, the Afro-Asian Cup is likely to be resumed. The tournament was notably discontinued in 2007.
While the resumption of intercontinental engagements may take time, changes afoot in global cricket administration could see the Afro-Asian Cup played again. Jay Shah is set to take charge of the International Cricket Council (ICC), with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi expected to take over the top job at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
As per reports from Cricbuzz, it is learnt that talks to revive the Afro-Asia Cup began two years back when BCCI Secretary and ACC President Jay Shah showed interest in reviving the tournament. However, reports claimed that for it to be a possibility, a lot of work still needs to be done.
Sumod Damodar, a veteran ICC member, spoke about the same and confirmed that Jay Shah, along with current ICC chief Mahinda Vallipuram, were continuously involved in the discussions. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he explained:
“We have been trying to revive the Asia-Pacific Cup. Jay was on board and Mahinda Vallipuram (director of Malaysia Cricket and current ICC chairman) was actively involved in the discussions.”
The Afro-Asia tournament started in 2005 and was planned to be held in three editions. The first edition of the tournament was played in 2005 in Centurion and Durban followed by the second edition in 2007 held in Bengaluru and Chennai. But after that, it was discontinued due to broadcasting issues.
Talks regarding the Afro-Asia Cup are expected to conclude once ongoing changes to the power structure and route tournaments are finalised.
The plan for the Asia-Pacific Cup had a business model in which 80 percent of the revenue generated would go to the African continent, with the remaining 10 percent allocated to the cash-rich Asian boards. But the new model for the tournament suggested something different.
Under the new model, the Asian and African cricket boards aim to engage at multiple levels. They agree that matches between the continents will be played at three levels: developmental (mainly at under-19 level, seen as an investment), emerging levels and top levels, the latter involving current international players.
Sumod Damodar confirmed the plan and said that the frequency is yet to be decided. He also mentioned that everything will depend on the Future Tours Programme (FTP) and the international commitments of the players. He added:
“That’s the plan. We still have to decide on the frequency, whether it will be annual or biennial. Much will depend on the calendar, the Future Tours Programme (FTP) and the international commitments of the players.”
Talks related to the Afro-Asia Cup are expected to conclude once the ongoing changes in the power structure and route tournaments are finalised. It remains to be seen whether Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi will form the team.
