Afro-Asia Cup Could Finally See Kohli and Babar in the Same Team

Two of the biggest cricketing stars in the world could finally suit up for the same team after reports emerged that the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) has announced a strategic revival of the Afro-Asia Cup, an iconic series of white-ball matches that would see an African XI face off against an Asian XI.

This decision emerged from the ACA’s Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, where a new six-person interim committee was formed with a mandate to reshape the ACA’s operations and boost competitive cricket across Africa.

A key objective of the committee is to strengthen ties with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), with the Afro-Asia Cup revival high on the agenda.

The tournament, held only twice before, in 2005 and 2007, has not seen action since a planned third edition in 2009 was cancelled. However, almost two decades later, there is renewed optimism.

Should the series materialize, it could offer the unique opportunity for players from India and Pakistan to unite under the Asia XI banner—a rare occurrence given the political limitations on bilateral cricket between the two countries. While the ACC has yet to confirm its stance on the tournament’s return, historical records show the Asia XI dominated the last series, winning all three matches in 2007.

Past tournaments have featured cricket icons such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar, adding to the allure of this cross-continental showdown while the new-look side could feature Babar Azam and Virat Kohli in the same team which should send the cricketing world in absolute frenzy.