The Afro-Asia Cup was a singular cricket event that first passed off in 2005. It was created as a collaborative effort between the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the African Cricket Affiliation (ACA), designed to showcase the expertise from each continents. This competitors featured an “Africa XI” composed of gamers from African nations and an “Asia XI” comprising high cricketers from Asia. The event aimed to advertise the sport in Africa and strengthen cricketing ties between the 2 areas.
Nations that contributed gamers to Africa XI
The Africa XI workforce within the Afro-Asia Cup was comprised of gamers from African cricket-playing nations, primarily specializing in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. South Africa, as probably the most dominant cricketing nation within the continent, contributed a majority of the gamers, together with skilled all-rounders, batters, and bowlers. Zimbabwe additionally performed a key function, offering gamers who introduced talent and expertise, notably within the spin and middle-order batting departments. Kenya, whereas a creating cricket nation, contributed a number of gamers identified for his or her vitality and fielding. These three nations shaped the spine of the Africa XI, representing one of the best expertise obtainable from the African continent.
Nations that contributed gamers to Asia XI
Asia XI introduced collectively gamers from cricketing powerhouses similar to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India, with its huge expertise pool, contributed world-class batters, all-rounders, and quick bowlers, main the cost for the Asia XI workforce. Pakistan, identified for producing formidable quick bowlers and aggressive batters, added energy to each the batting and bowling departments.
Sri Lanka, with its wealthy cricketing custom, offered gamers with distinctive spin bowling and dependable middle-order choices. Bangladesh, an rising pressure in worldwide cricket, additionally contributed key gamers, notably within the all-rounder and spin bowling roles. Collectively, these nations introduced collectively a formidable Asia XI that matched one of the best on this planet.
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1. First version of Afro-Asia Cup (2005) in South Africa
The inaugural version of the Afro-Asia Cup passed off in August 2005, and the matches had been hosted in South Africa. This primary-of-its-kind occasion noticed an Africa XI tackle an Asia XI in a three-match One Day Worldwide (ODI) sequence. The first venues for the matches had been the SuperSport Park in Centurion and Kingsmead in Durban. The event was organized with the aim of elevating funds for African cricket growth and enhancing the cricketing ties between the 2 continents
Match outcomes of the primary version (2005)
The primary Afro-Asia Cup in 2005 featured three One Day Internationals (ODIs), performed between Africa XI and Asia XI, with the Asia XI dominating the sequence.
- 1st ODI – Centurion:
Asia XI gained by 2 wickets.
Africa XI batted first and posted a complete of 198 in 48.5 overs. Shaun Pollock top-scored for the African workforce with 45 runs, however the Asian bowlers, led by Abdul Razzaq, restricted them properly. In response, Asia XI chased the goal in 48.4 overs, led by an important 73 from Rahul Dravid. Regardless of some middle-order stumbles, Asia XI secured a detailed victory. - 2nd ODI – Durban:
Asia XI gained by 17 runs.
Batting first, Asia XI scored 267/9 in 50 overs, with Shahid Afridi taking part in an explosive innings of 55 off simply 27 balls. Africa XI, in response, was restricted to 250/8 of their 50 overs, regardless of a powerful 82 from Steve Tikolo. Venkatesh Prasad’s disciplined bowling helped Asia XI win and seal the sequence. - third ODI – Durban:
Asia XI gained by 18 runs.
Asia XI put up 241/9 of their 50 overs, with key contributions from Mohammad Kaif (52) and Dravid (54). Africa XI, regardless of an excellent 85 from Steve Tikolo, fell quick and was bowled out for 223, with Asia XI clinching the match and finishing the 3-0 sequence win.
2. Second version of Afro-Asia Cup (2007) in India
Following the success of the 2005 version, the second Afro-Asia Cup was held in 2007, this time in India. The event passed off in June, and all three ODIs had been held on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The idea remained the identical, with the Asia XI pitted towards the Africa XI, however this time the occasion attracted much more consideration because of the presence of big-name gamers from either side.
Match outcomes of the second version (2007)
The second version, held in India in 2007, additionally featured three ODIs, and Asia XI repeated their dominance over Africa XI.
- 1st ODI – Bengaluru:
Asia XI gained by 34 runs.
Asia XI set a goal of 317/9 in 50 overs, with Mahela Jayawardene scoring 65 and Mohammad Yousuf contributing 66. Africa XI, led by AB de Villiers (88), managed 283/9 in 50 overs however couldn’t chase down the goal. - 2nd ODI – Bengaluru:
Asia XI gained by 31 runs (D/L methodology).
Asia XI posted 337/7, powered by a century from Yousuf (104). Rain affected the match, decreasing Africa XI’s goal to 276 in 39 overs. Regardless of a combating 89 from Pollock, Africa XI was bowled out for 244 in 37.5 overs, giving Asia XI one other victory. - third ODI – Bengaluru:
Asia XI gained by 13 runs.
Sanath Jayasuriya‘s blistering century (107 off 79 balls) helped Asia XI submit 331/8 of their 50 overs. Africa XI put up a valiant battle, with Thomas Odoyo scoring 70, however they fell quick and had been bowled out for 318 in 49.5 overs. Asia XI swept the sequence 3-0 as soon as once more. - Solely T20I – Bengaluru:
On 5 June 2007, Asia XI defeated Africa XI by 6 wickets in a non-official Twenty20 match of the Afro-Asia Cup at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, chasing down 109 runs in 15.5 overs, with Tillakaratne Dilshan scoring 47* and Loots Bosman top-scoring for Africa XI with 52.
Affect of the Afro-Asia Cup
Although the Afro-Asia Cup was short-lived, it left an affect by way of selling cricket in Africa and fostering good relations between the cricketing boards of the 2 continents. The event offered publicity to African gamers by pitting them towards a number of the finest cricketers from Asia, and it was seen as a optimistic step in increasing the sport globally. Nonetheless, logistical points and scheduling difficulties prevented the event from persevering with past its second version.
Prime gamers concerned within the Afro-Asia Cup
Prime gamers from each continents participated, making it an thrilling occasion for cricket followers. Asia XI featured the likes of Indian gamers like MS Dhoni, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, whereas Africa XI boasted gamers like South Africa’s Morne Morkel, Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taibu, and Kenya’s Steve Tikolo. These gamers introduced immense talent and expertise, making the matches memorable regardless of the event’s transient existence.
