Players from India and Pakistan can be seen playing together in the same team in the Afro-Asian Cup. This tournament has happened in 2005 and 2007. In the first edition of the tournament, 3 One Day International matches were played. In the second edition, in addition to 3 ODIs, a T20 match was also played. ACC (Asian Cricket Council) chairman and BCCI secretary Jay Shah told Reuters the return of the Cup could be sealed at the ACC meeting next month.
Jay Shah said that we have seen some proposals on this issue. It is a premium tournament that will not only generate revenue but also help develop cricket in Africa. We are currently working on the legal aspects.
However, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt is not in favor of cricketers from the two countries playing together in the tournament. According to Butt, the two countries do not play each other in bilateral matches and therefore Pakistan should not be asked to participate in the Afro-Asian Cup. Butt said on his official YouTube channel: “If that happens, will they play together? Wouldn’t politicians be against this?”
He said that India doesn’t want to play matches against us except at ICC events. Just because the Afro-Asian Cup will be a commercial exercise, will they (the cricketers) play together? Why would they (India) oppose this? If so, then Pakistan should say no. The former Pakistan captain said: “If you want to play, do well or don’t play at all.”
At the last edition of the Afro-Asian Cup in 2007, former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene led an Asia XI. Players from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh also participated in this. This team defeated cricketers from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya 3-0 on behalf of Africa.