The Afro-Asia Cup is set to return in 2009, and will keep its 3 ODI format despite speculation that there would be changes to liven the competition up a bit. The 2009 event is currently set to be held in Kenya, on dates yet to be announced.
CricInfo - Afro-Asia Cup revived for 2009
Archive for the 'Asian XI' Category
The Afro-Asian Cup has always been a strange beast - two teams drawn from a variety of countries doesn’t make for a team that easily draws cricket supporters, who are more used to cheering on their national sides. As a result, while the first two events met their aim of raising money to be used in development work, it was never really a hit with the fans.
Now there are indications that the 3rd running of the event, pencilled in for Kenya in June, may be postponed while a new format is considered. Regional qualifying tournaments in Africa (a new tournament) and Asia (the existing Asia Cup) have been mooted, with the winners and possibly runners-up going forward to a knock-out final. They key change is that only national sides will feature (with the Africa zone likely including Namibia and Uganda) - a move that should increase the Cup’s appeal to fans.
The changes are due to be discussed at a meeting of the Afro-Asia Cup Council in March. Watch this space.
CricInfo - Format change planned for Afro-Asia Cup
The 2nd Afro-Asian Cup competition, pitching the best of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya against the best of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will take place in Chennai during June 2007 - check the fixtures page for details. The competition will include both men’s and women’s matches this year - the men will play 2 Twenty20 matches and 3 ODIs, while the women’s schedule is yet to be announced. Teams will be selected following next year’s World Cup.
CricInfo - Second Afro-Asian Cup in Chennai in June 2007
No result due to rain, so the series finishes tied 1-1.
Heath Streak and Tatenda Taibu featured - with only 3 overs bowled by the African XI before rain intervened, Streak didn’t get a bowl, but did catch Shahid Afridi off the bowling of Sean Pollock.
Batting, Taibu scored 10 off 32 balls (caught Sehwag off the bowling of Abdul Razzaq), while Streak scored 14 off 35 (out LBW off the bowling of Shahid Afridi). Only Sean Pollock scored higher for the African XI, with 44 not out - a low-scoring game all round.
African XI - 106 all out (32.5 overs), Asian XI - 8 for 2 wickets (3 overs)
Match abandoned due to rain.
Heath Streak was the only Zimbabwean player involved in this match, taking 2 for 64 off 9 overs (2 no balls), while scoring 28 runs off 32 balls with the bat (caught by Jayawardene off Khan’s bowling).
Series is levelled at 1-1, with the decider to be played on 21st August.