The Africa Cricket Association (ACA) is planning to revive the Afro-Asia Cup, a series of White ball matches played between Asian Xl and African Xl.
The Board’s continental body held its AGM on Saturday and appointed a six-person interim committee to restructure the ACA and increase the number of competitive opportunities for players on the continent.
“The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organisation, and the appetite is huge from both ends,” said Zimbabwe Cricket Chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani.
“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.”
It is learned that no formal request has been made to the ACC, nor has any discussion around this taken place at the body’s recent meeting in Malaysia. In 2005, the three-match ODI series was shared 1-1 after a rained-out final game, and in 2007, the Asia Xl won all three matches.
The ACA is also planning to launch a ‘mini version of the IPL,’ said CEO Cassim Suliman calling it the Africa Premier League, despite it remaining in the planning phase.
“We are planning to, after board approval, bring the Africa Premier League. That’s what we’re busy with at the moment on the sponsorship. Once that comes together, we will go to the board, the board will okay it, and then we will take it from there,” he said.
“It’s the mini vision of the IPL. So we’re taking that concept of the IPL and driving that concept to ensure that everybody benefits in that aspect. As far as where we’re going to play, the board will decide.”
“We’re going to look at facilities that are going to warrant spectator viewership. It’s still at the initial stage. Obviously, we want to do things right the first time to make sure we get the ball rolling on it.”
“But the board will decide exactly who’s hosting and from there, we’ll take it to them from there. It’s going to be like the IPL format, but with a lower status and then we’ll grow it from there.”
There is currently only one franchise tournament in Africa, South Africa’s SA20, but Mukuhlani was hopeful that a South African franchise could be involved in the Africa Premier League and committed Zimbabwean players to the proposed tournament.
“The participation of South Africa and Zimbabwe gives context to the competition, and there is also the experience that the upcoming teams get from playing alongside players from South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he said. “So yes, we will participate,” said Mukuhlani.
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