The Afro-Asia Cup was a novel 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 group 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 the perfect 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 group. Pakistan, identified for producing formidable quick bowlers and aggressive batters, added power 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 power 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 earth.
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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 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 group with 45 runs, however the Asian bowlers, led by Abdul Razzaq, restricted them nicely. 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 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 collection. - 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 a superb 85 from Steve Tikolo, fell quick 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 because of the presence of big-name gamers from either side.