One of the biggest sights in the cricketing world is when India and Pakistan come to play against each other. Both teams bring excitement and thrills for the fans. However, both teams haven’t played any bilateral series since 2012-13. Due to some political issues, these two teams don’t play any series against each other.
But both teams often play in any ICC tournament and that becomes the highlight of that tournament. Although the Men in Blue recently registered their first-ever win in World Cup history when they thrashed India by 10 wickets in the UAE. The last time both sides played the red-ball game was in 2007.
But there is one tournament that can bring the players from both countries together to play for the same team. The Afro-Asia Cup took place in 2005 and 2007. But later, it was cancelled due to political issues. Notably, the tournament is likely to get underway again in 2023. This will feature the top players from both nations, who will come together and share the same dressing room.
As per some media reports, the latest version will be in T20 format, that can take place in June or July next year. In a discussion with Forbes, the ACC head of commercial and events, Prabhakaran Thanraj, confirmed this. He said, “We haven’t got confirmation from the boards yet. We are still working on the white paper. But our plan is for the best players from India and Pakistan to be playing in the Asian XI. Once plans are finalized we will go into the market for sponsorship and a broadcaster.”
He also added that this will be a massive tournament if it happens. Notably, the last tournament that took place in 2007 saw Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi playing along with Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid in the same team. On the other hand, Africa XI will have players from South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
But just as this news was circulated, every fan from both nations got excited and shared their excitement on Twitter.
Childhood memories 😊..afro Asia cup..ah.
— Nawaidcric (@Nawaidkhan99) June 17, 2022
ASIAN CRICKET COUNCIL WANTS TO FIX SCHEDULE FOR AFRO-ASIA CUP VERY SOON .#CRICKET #ICC
— syed umer (@syedume93087176) June 17, 2022
Woah…Afro-Asia cup again😍😍😍
— #GillOP (@EternalBlizard_) June 17, 2022
Proper nostalgia… bring back no 1 team vs Rest of the World too 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/8wiXaqLG8s
Afro-Asia Cup can be first step for the revival of India and Pakistan cricket. Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to give a positive response as Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja recently put forward four nation tournament but BCCI for obvious reasons will bring barriers for Afro-Asia Cup.
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) June 17, 2022
This is big news forIndo-Pak cricket fans!!There are plans under Asian Cricket Council to schedule Afro-Asia Cup based on T20 format in mid 2023 which will feature top cricketers from Pakistan and India together. Kohli Babar Rohit Bumrah Rizwan Shaheen together? #ICCRankings #T20
— AbdulMananHashmi Awan (@Cricket01162646) June 17, 2022
📣📣😍🏏🇧🇩🏏🇮🇳🏏🇱🇰🏏🇵🇰🏏😍📣📣
— Siraj_Ahmad09🇵🇸 (@Ahmad09Siraj) June 17, 2022
This is big news for Indo-Pak cricket fans!!! There are plans under Asian Cricket Council to schedule Afro-Asia Cup based on T20 format in mid 2023 which will feature top cricketers from Pakistan and India together.
1/2#ICCRankings #INDvSA #FATF
