Published By: Sayan Guha

Kohli, Bumrah, and Babar in the Same Team? How Asia XI Could Look Like as Afro-Asia Cup Eyes a Comeback!

After 18 years, the star-studded Afro-Asia Cup is in talks to return—will India, Pakistan and Bangladesh team up once again to form a dream Asia XI?

Imagine Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah standing beside Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi as teammates rather than enemies. It almost seems too remarkable to be true, right? Cricket fanatics, your fantasy might soon become a reality. The Afro-Asia Cup, which was last played in 2007, is being discussed for a comeback, and the cricketing world is humming with anticipation.

For those who may not recall, the Afro-Asia Cup was initially contested in 2005 and then again in 2007. It was a one-of-a-kind competition in which the greatest cricketers from Asia competed against Africa's top talent. The concept was fantastic, and the matches? Even better.

However, after two seasons, the competition was cancelled, owing primarily to political tensions between India and Pakistan. Now, after 18 years, talks are on to resuscitate this star-studded event, and the cricketing world is ready for it.

Why the cup disappeared

The Afro-Asia Cup had a brief but remarkable existence, with two tournaments in 2005 and 2007. Back then, an ODI event paired Asia's finest, including Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, and Kumar Sangakkara, against African legends such as Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. The contests were exciting, but things were not as easy behind the scenes.

Tensions between India and Pakistan were increasing, particularly following the 2008 Mumbai bombings, which effectively ended any cricketing partnership between the two nations. And let's be honest: India vs Pakistan matchups are the heart of any tournament. The Afro-Asian Cup had to be put on hold when they couldn't even meet on the pitch.

In addition, the cricket calendar became more crowded than ever, leaving little room for 'niche' tournaments like this one. Sponsors backed out, broadcasters lost interest, and the Cup faded into history—until now.

So, what's cooking for 2024?

Fast forward to now, and there is a fresh drive to bring the Cup back. With Jay Shah ready to take over as ICC president in December, the buzz surrounding this comeback is higher than ever. This time, instead of ODIs, the tournament might be contested in the popular T20 format; this is still in discussion.

Here's where things get really exciting: picture an Asia XI that includes some of India's and Pakistan's finest cricket stars! After years of political impediments, this might be a watershed moment in cricket history.

A peek at the Asia XI in 2025

Let's play a little fantasy cricket. What will the Asia XI look like if the Afro-Asia Cup returns next year in ODI format? So, here's a lineup that might send shivers down the spine of any opponent:

Rohit Sharma (Captain): Leading from the front, one of modern cricket's best openers.
Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper): Reliable behind the stumps and a solid batter.
Virat Kohli: You just can't leave him out, can you?
Babar Azam: Pakistan's batting maestro, paired with Kohli—what a sight!
Shakib Al Hasan: The all-rounder every team dreams of.
Hardik Pandya: His blazing batting and handy bowling might reverse the tide.

Rashid Khan: Master of spinand quickfire batting— Afghanistan’s best talent.
DunithWellalage: Sri Lankan Rising Spin maestro
Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan's speed phenom, capable of unsettling any top order.
Jasprit Bumrah: The man with the deadliestyorkers in the game.
Mustafizur Rahman: Bangladesh's cutter king, bringing diversity to the bowling attack.