The Africa Cricket Association now thinks that revival of the Afro-Asia Cup is feasible. Recently, at its AGM, the ACA appointed an interim committee of six with the task of restructuring the organization and providing more competitive opportunities for African players. In this regard, the committee would work with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to bring back the Afro-Asia Cup, a white-ball series last played in 2007.
It becomes special in the sense of the reinstatement of the Afro-Asia Cup. For the first time in well over a decade, players of cricketing superpowers India and Pakistan will share the field for a bilateral series, though that will be in the Afro-Asia Cup, which had been played only twice before 2005 and 2007. Matches between the Asia XI and the Africa XI were a thriller that time around. Notably, 2005 series ended drawn as rain spoilt final match, while Asia XI dominated the 2007 edition. Some of the high-profile games featuring MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, and Shoaib Akhtar produced some memorable cross-continental cricket moments.
ACA interim chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said that meetings with the ACC have gone well. “There’s very strong interest from both parties,” Mukuhlani pointed out, citing the potential of the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup as a good source of financial support and also a boost in the enthusiasm of fans from both continents. But officials of the ACC could not confirm any official plan on this tournament.
Revival of the Afro-Asia Cup and another T20 league on cards
Apart from the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup, ACA plans a new T20 league. Dubbed the Africa Premier League, this mini-IPL concept will give the African players more competitive exposure. Cassim Suliman, the CEO of ACA shared that the league is still on the drawing board and details for hosting venues and sponsorships are still being discussed. The ACA is looking at involving South African and Zimbabwean franchises, which should enhance the competitive stature of the league and regional appeal.
As it is with only SA20, currently representing franchise cricket in Africa, ACA’s Africa Premier League can be a difference-maker on the continent’s cricket landscape. By following the format of IPL and incorporating players from established teams, like South Africa, ACA has conceptualized a tournament that would help build talent and mark the start of a new era for African cricket.
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