As the ACC plans to restart the Afro-Asian Cup, Virat Kohli and Babar Azam may play in the same XI

 

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam may play together in what could be a dream come true for cricket fans in both India and Pakistan, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) plans to restart the Afro-Asian Cup in the T20 format beginning in 2023.

Political tensions between the two countries have spilled over into cricket, limiting competition between the two countries in bilateral series. The two teams only compete in ICC and ACC tournaments, with India holding a significant advantage over Pakistan in World Cup tournaments.

The Afro-Asian Cup was held in India and South Africa in 2005 and 2007, respectively, and featured players from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka for the Asia team, and South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe for the Africa team. On the Asian side, there are many stars such as Shoaib Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Mohammad Yousuf, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, and others.

Afro-Asia cup 2007 between Asia XI and Africa XI at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore,(DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

The Afro-Asian Cup will return in T20 format in 2023, with players from India and Pakistan playing in the same XI.The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), led by India's governing body boss Jay Shah, is now rebranding the showpiece event. The updated version, which will be played in T20 format, is scheduled for June-July of next year, with discussions with other boards planned for next month's ICC Annual General Meeting.

"We haven't yet received confirmation from the boards." The white paper is still in the works, and it will be submitted to both boards. However, we intend to field the best players from India and Pakistan in the Asian XI. Once the plans are finalised, we will seek sponsorship and a broadcaster. It will be a huge event. "Really, really large,"

"We haven't yet received confirmation from the boards." The white paper is still in the works, and it will be submitted to both boards. However, we intend to field the best players from India and Pakistan in the Asian XI. Once the plans are finalised, we will seek sponsorship and a broadcaster. It will be a huge event. Forbes quoted ACC head of commercial and events Prabhakaran Thanraj as saying, "Really, really big."

If everything goes as planned, players from both countries will light up the stage for all of the fans to enjoy.

"I'd love to see the opportunity to bridge the gap and allow the players to play together." I'm sure the players want it to happen while keeping politics out of it. "It would be wonderful to see players from Pakistan and India on the same team," Damodar, a member of the influential Chief Executives' Committee, said.