The Afro-Asia Cup: History, editions and prominent cricketing figures ft. MS Dhoni and Morne Morkel

The Afro-Asia Cup was a singular cricket match 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 match 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 crew 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 essentially 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 position, offering gamers who introduced talent and expertise, notably within the spin and middle-order batting departments. Kenya, whereas a growing cricket nation, contributed a number of gamers recognized for his or her vitality and fielding. These three nations shaped the spine of the Africa XI, representing the perfect expertise obtainable from the African continent.

Nations that contributed gamers to Asia XI

Asia XI introduced collectively gamers from cricketing powerhouses comparable 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 crew. Pakistan, recognized for producing formidable quick bowlers and aggressive batters, added energy to each the batting and bowling departments.

Sri Lanka, with its wealthy cricketing custom, supplied 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 the perfect on the 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 have 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) collection. The first venues for the matches have been the SuperSport Park in Centurion and Kingsmead in Durban. The match was organized with the aim of elevating funds for African cricket improvement 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 collection.

1st ODI – Centurion:
Asia XI received by 2 wickets.
Africa XI batted first and posted a complete of 198 in 48.5 overs. Shaun Pollock top-scored for the African crew 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 a vital 73 from Rahul Dravid. Regardless of some middle-order stumbles, Asia XI secured an in depth victory.
2nd ODI – Durban:
Asia XI received 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 robust 82 from Steve Tikolo. Venkatesh Prasad’s disciplined bowling helped Asia XI win and seal the collection.
third ODI – Durban:
Asia XI received 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 brief and was bowled out for 223, with Asia XI clinching the match and finishing the 3-0 collection 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 match passed off in June, and all three ODIs have 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 as a result of 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 received 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 received 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 received 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 combat, with Thomas Odoyo scoring 70, however they fell brief and have been bowled out for 318 in 49.5 overs. Asia XI swept the collection 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.

Impression of the Afro-Asia Cup

Although the Afro-Asia Cup was short-lived, it left an influence by way of selling cricket in Africa and fostering good relations between the cricketing boards of the 2 continents. The match supplied publicity to African gamers by pitting them towards among the finest cricketers from Asia, and it was seen as a constructive step in increasing the sport globally. Nonetheless, logistical points and scheduling difficulties prevented the match 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 match’s transient existence.