Reported by:| Edited by: IANS |Source: |Updated: June 17, 2022, 8:28 p.m. IST
The Afro-Asia Cup had not been contested after 2005 and 2007, while India and Pakistan had not played a bilateral series since 2012/13 and had not faced each other in a Test series since 2007. The two teams now only compete against each other. in ICC tournaments, with the exception of the World Test Championship (WTC).
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Now, according to a report on UKTN.com, Indian and Pakistani players could play in the same team with the Afro-Asian Cup set to return to T20 format in June-July 2023. Nothing is confirmed on how the tournament will take place.
But talks about it are ongoing between BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah, new African Cricket Association President Sumod Damodar and ACC Development Committee Chairman Mahinda Vallipuram, who is also an associate member of the ICC Board of Directors, of the meeting of the ICC Board of Directors in April this year.
“We have not yet received confirmation from the councils. We are still working on the white paper and it will be submitted to both councils. But our plan is for the best players from India and Pakistan to play in the Asian XI. “Once the plans are finalized, we’ll go to market for sponsorship and a broadcaster. It’s going to be a massive event. Really, really big,” ACC publicity and events manager Prabhakaran Thanraj said in a statement. The report.
Damodar also feels the same about the prospect of uniting Indian and Pakistani players in one team as part of the Afro-Asia Cup. “I would like to see the opportunity to build the bridge and allow the players to play together. I’m sure the players want that to happen and the politics away from it. It would be a great thing to see players of Pakistan and India playing in the same team.”
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The report further states that a plan is in place for the Afro-Asian Cup to become an annual affair and provide chances for players from associated nations. Apart from this tournament, the ACC wants to grow by introducing the Afro-Asian Cups U16, U19, Asian Women’s Cup U19, Asian Junior Cup U13 and U16 and the ACC West and East Cups for associates in order to qualify for the Asian Cups.
“The Afro-Asian Cup is a premium product and from a revenue perspective, that’s where we would generate more revenue. What we get back can come back to the members, especially in Africa which needs more support. Africa has a lot to benefit from because Asia is a powerhouse. This is a relationship that I was keen to foster and grow,” Damodar concluded.
(With contributions from IANS)
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