Kohli, Babar in same team? India, Pak cricketers set to play together in Afro-Asia Cup

News Network
June 21, 2022

azamkohli.jpg

Tensions between India and Pakistan have resulted in the cricketing teams from the two nations only facing each other during ICC competitions. The last bilateral series between them was in 2012-13 and they haven't played a Test match since 2007. However, Indian and Pakistani cricketers like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam could be playing together in the same team as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is working towards the revival of the Afro-Asian Cup.

The Afro-Asian Cup was initially held in 2005 with the second edition being played in 2007. However, it gradually faded out due to broadcast and political issues. But according to Forbes, there are efforts - led by Indian governing body chief Jay Shah - being made to bring the competition back for the 2023 cricketing calendar.

It is understood that the updated version of the Afro Asian cup will be in the T20 format and is expected to be held in the June-July window of next year.  Discussions were first held during ICC's board meeting in April between BCCI secretary Jay Shah, African Cricket Association chairman Sumod Damodar and ACC chairman of development committee Mahinda Vallipuram.

Speaking about the possibility of the Afro-Asian Cup, ACC head of commercial and events Prabhakaran Thanraj said: 'We haven’t got confirmation from the boards yet. We are still working on the white paper and it will be submitted to both boards.'

'But our plan is for the best players from India and Pakistan to be playing in the Asian XI. Once plans are finalized we will go into the market for sponsorship and a broadcaster. It will be a massive event. Really, really big.' Thanraj said as quoted by Forbes.

Meanwhile, Sumod Damodar hopes that this competition can help 'build bridges' between India and Pakistan. ' It would be a beautiful thing to see players from Pakistan and India playing on the same team.' he said.

If the competition is given a green light to go ahead, players like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam could be seen playing wearing the same colours. Back in the mid-2000s, the Asian XI featured stars like  Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid while, while the African XI was a mix of players from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Further discussions are set to take place in the next month's ICC meeting as the plan is to make the Afro-Asian cup an annual thing and include associate nations as well. 'What we pump [revenue] back can go back to the members, particularly in Africa which needs more support. Africa has a lot to benefit' said Damodar.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah is invested in this plan by the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) as they look to develop cricket around the world. 'We have reactivated the whole Asian Cricket Council to see what we can do with this property' said Thanraj. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 22,2024

IPL.jpg

The start of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament in India is presenting investors with another big opportunity to cash in on the sport, months after the world’s most populous nation hosted the Cricket World Cup.

The eight-week long Indian Premier League begins March 22 for its 17th season. Since its inception, the fast-paced cricket tournament has become a corporate juggernaut to rival the National Football League in the US and the English Premier League in value.

Just as October’s Cricket World Cup boosted consumption in India for months, fans are expected to flock to restaurants, pubs and food delivery platforms over the duration of the tournament. This year’s IPL also coincides with general elections that will last for six weeks starting April 19, a period when companies are expecting higher food and drink sales as people flock to rallies and other events.

“There’s going to be a lot of spending,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda. “IPL, as well as the election, gives a three-month corridor with enhanced economic activity.”

Stocks in India such as McDonald’s franchise operator Westlife Foodworld Ltd. and peer Sapphire Foods India Ltd. gained ahead of the first match on Friday, as well as hotels and beverage makers. Packaged-food companies could also stand to benefit from the IPL craze, said Sachil Bobade, an analyst at investment firm Dolat Capital Market.

The IPL ecosystem was valued at $11 billion (Rs 91,721 crores) in 2023, including the value of media rights and sponsorships, according to Indian valuation consulting firm D&P Advisory.

The league is also attracting record sums of money from sponsors and broadcasters. Conglomerate Tata Group won the title sponsorship rights of the tournament in January for a record 25 billion rupees ($300 million). Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s media venture secured the digital streaming rights in 2022 for five years for $2.7 billion, while Walt Disney Co. paid roughly the same for TV rights.

“There was a serious amount of bidding even this year,” said Vinit Karnik, head of entertainment, esports and sports at media agency GroupM South Asia. “I see growth in IPL in double digits year-on-year,” he adds.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.