Babar Azam and Kohli to play in the same team?

Imagine the excitement for cricket fans worldwide if Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, alongside India’s Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, joined forces on the same team. This dream scenario, which once seemed impossible, may soon become a reality.

According to reports from Indian media, significant discussions are underway in cricketing circles regarding the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup, a tournament that last took place over a decade ago. If these talks progress as expected, this iconic tournament could make its return to the cricket calendar soon.

For those unfamiliar with the Afro-Asia Cup, it was a highly anticipated series played in 2005 and 2007. The tournament featured two teams: an Asia XI and an Africa XI. The Asia XI included players from cricketing giants like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and other Asian nations, while the Africa XI brought together talents from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and neighboring countries.

The tournament saw immense success during its two editions, but political tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, led to a breakdown in cricketing relations between the two nations, halting any further editions of the event. As a result, bilateral series between Pakistan and India have been off the table for years.

However, hope is now on the horizon. With the possible election of Jay Shah as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in December, Indian media suggests that the Afro-Asia Cup could return, with talks pointing to a 2025 edition. This time, the tournament may be played in the popular T20 format, which would only add to its global appeal.

If the final decision is made, the world may witness a historic moment in cricket. The prospect of players from Pakistan and India playing together as teammates, possibly seeing Babar Azam and Virat Kohli on the same side, is something fans could have only dreamed of until now.

The inaugural Afro-Asia Cup in 2005 featured some of the biggest cricket stars of the era, including Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Ashish Nehra. If the tournament does return, the next generation of cricket legends might just come together to create another unforgettable chapter in cricket history.