Plans for a continental T20 competition in Africa are moving forward, even as discussions around reviving the Afro-Asia Cup gather pace. Cricket administrators are exploring both pathways to improve competitiveness and unlock greater commercial value across the region.
A six-team Africa Cup is under consideration, aimed at creating a regular tournament featuring the continent’s top sides. The idea is to provide consistent fixtures and a structured pathway for emerging teams alongside established ones.
Namibia tri-series as first step
As an initial move, a tri-series involving South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia is likely to be held in this year August in Namibia. The tournament is being treated as a soft launch for the Africa Cup, with organisers hoping it can eventually evolve into a biennial event.
The involvement of Full Members South Africa and Zimbabwe is seen as crucial for both quality and financial viability. While a larger competition with up to 10 teams was discussed, six is now considered the more practical number, with associate nations expected to qualify.
Afro-Asia Cup revival gains attention
At the same time, there is renewed focus on bringing back the Afro-Asia Cup. Last played in 2005 and 2007, the tournament featured an Asia XI against an Africa XI, including players from India and Pakistan in the same side. Momentum picked up after Jay Shah moved into the ICC chairman role. His earlier backing as ACC president was viewed as a positive signal, but the main challenge remains managing the logistics and sensitivities of India and Pakistan players sharing a dressing room in a combined Asia XI.
The concept is viewed as commercially strong, with the potential to attract global audiences. However, it remains in the discussion stage, with no clear timeline for a return.
Challenges remain for both models
Despite the interest, both tournaments face hurdles. The international calendar is crowded, making scheduling difficult. For the Afro-Asia Cup, additional concerns around player availability and logistics continue to delay progress.
For now, the Africa Cup remains the immediate focus, with the Namibia tri-series expected to test the model. The Afro-Asia Cup, while attractive in principle, is still some distance away from becoming a reality.