Afro-Asia Cup: Babar Azam, Virat Kohli & Other Pakistan-India Cricketers To Play in The Same Team Next Year

Pakistan and Indian cricketers could be playing in the same team as the Afro-Asia Cup is likely to return next year. If things go as per plan, the cup will be held in mid-2023.

According to a report by Forbes, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are likely to play in the same team. There has hardly been any cricket between Pakistan and India due to the tensed relationship between the two countries.

The last time the two arch rivals played against each other in a bilateral series was in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India for two T20Is and three ODIs. Furthermore, Pakistani cricketers are also banned from participating in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

Now, cricketers from Pakistan and India are most likely to don the same colours next year in the Afro-Asia Cup. The cup was last played in 2005 and 2007. The likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid played for the same team, the Asian XI.

During the upcoming ICC Annual General Meeting, the Afro-Asia Cup will be discussed. According to ACC head of commercial and events Prabhakaran Thanraj, the plan is for the “best players from India and Pakistan to be playing in the Asian XI.” He added that following the successful completion of the initial procedure, they will try to find sponsorship and a broadcaster in the market.

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