NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s Virat Kohli may line up beside Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the identical workforce subsequent yr with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) planning to revive the Afro-Asia Cup.
The 50-overs collection was first performed in 2005 earlier than being discontinued after its subsequent version in 2007 as relations between India and Pakistan soured.
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene led an Asia XI that additionally included players from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh within the final version, beating an Africa aspect comprising cricketers from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya 3-0.
India and Pakistan have suspended bilateral cricket and their players don’t participate within the different nation’s T20 leagues, however the arch-rivals nonetheless draw huge crowds each time they face one another at world tournaments.
ACC President Jay Shah, additionally the secretary of the influential Indian board, advised Reuters the Cup’s return may get rubber-stamped at an ACC assembly subsequent month.
“We have gone by means of some proposals on this topic,” he stated.
“It is a premium match which is not going to solely generate income but in addition assist develop cricket in Africa. We are at present engaged on the authorized points.”
The ACC will look to determine a venue for the competitors on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council’s annual basic assembly in Birmingham, the place it’ll additionally search to ratify its growth programmes for junior and ladies’s cricket.
“These shall be tabled throughout our assembly the place these measures shall be ratified and put into motion,” Shah added.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; modifying by Peter Rutherford)
