Babar Azam, Virat Kohli to Play on Same Team as Afro-Asia Cup Set for Revival

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The prospect of cricket fans seeing Babar Azam and Virat Kohli play on the same team might soon become a reality with the potential revival of the Afro-Asia Cup. Organised as a cross-continental series, this tournament pits an Asian XI against an African XI in white-ball matches. 

Although the Afro-Asia Cup only took place twice before, in 2005 and 2007, recent discussions hint at its comeback, offering an exciting opportunity for players from countries like India and Pakistan, which haven’t faced each other in bilateral series for over a decade, to share the same side.

The Africa Cricket Association (ACA), the continental body promoting cricket across Africa, recently held its annual general meeting where a six-member interim committee was set up to expand competitive chances for players across the continent. 

This includes exploring partnerships with other cricket bodies like the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who might help bring back the Afro-Asia Cup. ACA’s interim chair, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, stated that both African and Asian cricketing circles are eager to revive this tournament.

Exciting History of the Afro-Asia Cup

The Afro-Asia Cup’s past editions were star-studded events. In 2005, hosted in South Africa, the tournament was drawn after rain washed out the third ODI. The 2007 tournament, played in India, saw Asia XI sweeping the series with players like MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag leading the charge. The rivalry between India and Pakistan was friendly at the time, allowing players from both nations to play on the same side in bilateral series. 

However, the Mumbai attacks in 2008 changed the cricketing relations between the two nations, leading to an absence of bilateral games, with both teams only facing each other in ICC tournaments since.

While the ACC has yet to formally respond to the ACA’s proposal, the potential revival of the Afro-Asia Cup would symbolize more than just a cricketing event. For fans, it represents a chance to witness cricket’s iconic players like Kohli and Babar competing together. If revived, the tournament could create memorable moments for global audiences.

Read Original Content: Babar Azam, Virat Kohli to Play on Same Team as Afro-Asia Cup Set for Revival

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