Due to political tensions, the two nations haven’t played a bilateral series since the ODI rubber in 2012/13.
After a 19-year hiatus, India and Pakistan might finally join hands and play in one team in the coming time. That is possible because the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) plans to revive the Afro-Asia Cup, a tournament last played in 2007, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
It is a competition in which the Asian XI meets the African XI in a white-ball rubber to entertain the fans. On Saturday (November 2), the continental body held its Annual General Meeting, forming a six-member interim committee to restructure the ACA and open more opportunities for players on the continent.
It will also aim to establish connections with other organisations and organise cross-continental series like the Afro-Asia Cup.
“The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organisation, and the appetite is huge from both ends. We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived,” stated Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA.
The first edition of the Afro-Asia Cup took place in South Africa in 2005, which was tied 1-1, with one of the games washed out due to rain. Inzamam-ul-Haq captained Asia XI in 2005, and the squad had big names like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble.
Later, the second edition of that tournament occurred in India in 2007, where Asia XI registered a resounding victory over Africa XI by 3-0 in the series. The 2007 version had names like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Shoaib Akhtar, and Mohammed Yousuf, while Mahela Jayawardene led a formidable Asia XI.
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The next edition was scheduled in Kenya in 2009 but never happened due to the lack of commitments from organisers and tight international schedules of all nations whose players were involved in the tournament. If the tournament returns, we will see India and Pakistan players in the same team, Asia XI.
Due to political tensions, the two nations haven’t played a bilateral series since the ODI rubber in 2012/13. However, they have continued meeting across ICC and Asia tournaments.
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