Several legends from India made it to the intercontinental tournament between Asia and Africa
Apart from the Duleep Trophy and Chess Olympiad, what other event is trending in today’s Indian sporting circuit? The answer is the Afro-Asia Cup, a forgotten tournament that was played only twice in the 2000s. Currently, new-gen cricket enthusiasts are probably not aware of it.
Although it did not have much relevance, which is why it was discontinued after two editions, the tournament was an OG fantasy league-style competition. On one end was a team from Asia comprising legends from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, whereas Africa XI comprised big names from South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Due to multiple issues, the tournament was last played in 2007 and discontinued, but 17 years later, talks to reboot the Afro-Asia Cup are trending on the internet. Given that there is no official statement from any of the official cricket bodies, it is hard to determine whether the tournament will return or not. However, let us look at some of the top players featured in the forgotten tournament.
Having made his India debut in 2004, it was only Dhoni’s third year in international cricket, but he got to participate in a tournament that tried to bridge the gap between nations and promote harmony. In 2007, he was the tourney’s third-highest run-getter, with 174 runs in three matches and a strike rate of 125.17. 2007 was also the year when Dhoni rose to fame by leading India to the ICC T20I World Cup trophy.
Tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni
— Zohaib (Cricket King)🇵🇰🏏 (@Zohaib1981) August 16, 2020
One of Best Innings Played by him for Asia 11 vs Africa 11
3rd Match, Chennai Jun 10 2007, Afro-Asia Cup
Come into bat after Asia11 5 for 72 Score 139* (15 4s, 5 6s)
stand of 218 with @MahelaJay
Temp around 45d on that day@msdhoni@WisdenCricket pic.twitter.com/SfnZ7AGZyC
While Dhoni’s career was beginning, Sourav Ganguly’s was at the end. Nonetheless, Dada in 2007 was the fourth-highest run-getter with 120 runs in two innings, etching a strike rate of 85.10. In 2008, Dada finally bid goodbye to international cricket.
The Nawab of Najafgarh, Virender Sehwag, also participated in the Afro-Asia Cup in 2007. Although he scored 105 runs in three matches at an average of 35, his strike rate was 119.31, which proves that no matter the format or tournament, Sehwag was always about hitting the ball fearlessly. Sehwag also played in the 2005 edition, scoring 64 runs in three matches.
A young Yuvraj Singh also participated in the 2007 tournament. The saviour of India in multiple World Cups, Singh scored 92 runs in three matches at an average of 46. However, he managed an impressive strike rate of 117.94.
Zaheer Khan is one of the finest bowlers India has ever produced. In the 2005 edition, he took the maximum, nine wickets in three matches with an economy of 3.69. In 2007, he scalped two wickets in two matches, but in the tournament’s two-season history, he remained the highest wicket-taker. In 2007, only Morne Morkel came pretty close to him, scoring eight wickets.
The ‘Turbanator’ Harbhajan Singh played only one edition in 2007. In two matches, Singh took four wickets, maintaining an economy of 5.05. His best bowling figure was 3/48.
Lastly, Anil Kumble and Ashish Nehra also participated in the tourney, picking up one and two wickets, respectively.
