Babar Azam to Captain Star-Studded Asia XI: Bumrah, Shaheen, Rashid Set for Afro-Asia Cup Comeback

Cricket fans might soon witness Indian and Pakistani players joining forces again as discussions to revive the Afro-Asia Cup gain momentum. According to reports, cricket boards are exploring the possibility of bringing back the tournament, which was last held in 2007. That edition featured legends like MS Dhoni, Shoaib Akhtar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, and Mohammad Yousuf. Now, 17 years later, the tournament could make its much-anticipated return.

As per a Forbes report, with Jay Shah set to assume the role of ICC president in December, discussions around the Afro-Asia Cup’s revival are heating up. The 2007 edition included one T20I and three ODIs, but the upcoming tournament is expected to be in the T20 format, capitalizing on the popularity of the shortest format of the game.

With speculation swirling around the return of the Afro-Asia Cup, here’s a look at what could be the strongest possible Asia XI lineup:

Wicketkeeper – Litton Das (Bangladesh): Litton Das, a regular opener for Bangladesh in T20Is, has been a consistent performer. With 1,943 runs in 89 matches, he brings a wealth of experience as both a batter and a wicketkeeper.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): The rising star of Indian cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal, made his T20I debut against the West Indies in August 2024. Since then, the 22-year-old left-hander has been in blistering form, amassing 723 runs in just 23 T20I matches with an impressive strike rate of 164.31.

Captain – Babar Azam (Pakistan): Despite a recent dip in form, Babar Azam remains one of the finest T20I batsmen, having scored over 4,000 runs. At 29, the Pakistan captain is the perfect choice for the No. 3 spot in the Asia XI and is well-suited to lead the side.

Suryakumar Yadav (India): Widely regarded as one of the best T20 batters, Suryakumar Yadav has already made a name for himself as a dynamic and explosive player. Since his debut in March 2021, he has racked up 2,432 runs in 71 matches and was recently appointed India’s T20I captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format.

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka): As Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain, Charith Asalanka has become a reliable middle-order batter. His ability to switch gears and contribute with the ball makes him a valuable asset. In 50 T20I matches, the 27-year-old has scored 1,075 runs.

Hardik Pandya (India): The experienced Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, has played 102 T20Is, scoring 1,523 runs and taking 86 wickets. His versatility and ability to perform under pressure make him a key player for Asia XI.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka’s former T20I captain, Wanindu Hasaranga, is a master of spin in the shortest format. With 114 wickets in 71 matches, he is a formidable force and can also contribute with the bat when needed.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s premier spinner and the second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 152 wickets in 93 matches. His success extends to franchise cricket, where he has collected over 600 wickets. Rashid is also capable of delivering crucial runs in the middle order.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan): Pakistan’s ace left-arm pacer, Shaheen Afridi, has been a dominant force with the new ball. The 24-year-old has 96 wickets in 70 T20Is and is an ideal bowler to lead the pace attack.

Jasprit Bumrah (India): Jasprit Bumrah, regarded as one of the best bowlers across formats, played a crucial role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. The 30-year-old pacer has claimed 89 wickets in 70 T20I matches and was named Player of the Tournament at the 2024 World Cup.

Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka): Known for his unorthodox bowling action reminiscent of Lasith Malinga, Matheesha Pathirana has made a significant impact since his T20I debut. The 21-year-old has taken 19 wickets in just 12 matches and is considered one of Sri Lanka’s brightest young talents.

The return of the Afro-Asia Cup could reignite one of cricket’s most exciting formats, with the strongest talents from across Asia uniting to form a powerhouse team. Fans will eagerly await more updates as discussions continue.