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Xtra Time Web Desk: The Afro-Asia Cup, a cricket tournament played between an African XI and an Asian XI, is on the verge of making a comeback, as confirmed by the Africa Cricket Association (ACA). During its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, the ACA announced the formation of a six-member interim committee to discuss new opportunities for cricketers from both Asia and Africa.

The Afro-Asia Cup first took place in 2005 in South Africa, with India hosting the second edition in 2007. Kenya was originally slated to host the 2009 tournament, but the event never materialized for unknown reasons.

In a press conference, interim ACA chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani expressed enthusiasm about reviving the tournament, which offers both financial benefits and greater exposure for cricketers in these regions. "The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organization, and the appetite is huge from both ends," Mukuhlani said, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

"We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived,” Mukuhlani, who is also the Zimbabwe Cricket Chair, added.

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If the revival goes ahead, it could provide a rare opportunity for Indian and Pakistani cricketers to play together in the same team. Since 2013, India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC and ACC events, avoiding bilateral series due to political tensions. India last toured Pakistan during the Asia Cup in 2008.

The 2005 Afro-Asia Cup was a three-match series that ended 1-1, with the final match being called off. Some of the cricket legends who participated in that series included Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, and Sanath Jayasuriya. The team was captained by Inzamam-ul-Haq and also featured big names like Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and Ashish Nehra.

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In 2007, Asia dominated the tournament, winning the series 3-0. Notable players included Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Yousuf, who played alongside Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, and Harbhajan Singh.

With discussions underway, the Afro-Asia Cup could soon return to the cricket calendar, promising to be a spectacle for fans and an important platform for players from both continents.