The African Cricket Association (ACA) confirmed plans for the famous Afro-Asian Cup to return, which will see the best players of Africa and Asia go head-to-head against each other in a series of white-ball matches. The tournament was previously held in 2005 and 2007 and saw the best players of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh come together to form a superstar team.
The selection of the Asian team this time around will be even harder as Afghanistan has become a force to reckon with. They are arguably the second best Asian side in white-ball cricket at the moment, having reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup and narrowly missed out on a place in the last four of the 2023 World Cup.
If the tournament becomes a reality, the Asian side will have eyes of the world, with players from India and Pakistan likely to come together, as was the case in the last two editions. Here is how the Asia XI could look if the best players are available and assuming it is played in the ODI format like in 2005 and 2007.
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Rohit Sharma (C): Rohit Sharma is among the greatest openers in ODI cricket history and among a rare list of players to score 10,000 runs in the format. Having led India to the final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit is the best captain in the continent in white-ball cricket.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK): Rahmanullah Gurbaz equalled Virat Kohli’s record for the most ODI tons before turning 23 recently. He has been a true difference maker for Afghanistan in the top order. As one of the most in-form opening batters in world cricket, Gurbaz is the perfect wicket-keeper batter for the team.
Virat Kohli: The first player in history to score 50 ODI centuries, Virat Kohli is arguably the greatest ODI player in history. The 36-year-old’s record in the format is second to none and his selection as number three is a no-brainer pick.
Babar Azam: Babar Azam’s recent form might be questionable but his ODI record is extremely impressive. The former Pakistan captain has a stunning average of 56.7 in the format with 19 centuries to his name after making 5729 runs.
Charith Asalanka: Charith Asalanka has emerged as one of the most reliable middle-order batters in ODI cricket and been the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting unit. He has an average of 43.1 with the bat and is also a handy off-spinner.
Hardik Pandya: Hardik Pandya’s all-rounder prowess is second to none in ODI cricket. As a batter, he has the ability to both anchor an innings and hit the big shots. As a bowler, he can generate some serious pace and is a wicket-taking threat in all phases of the match.
Shakib Al Hasan: Shakib Al Hasan might have retired from T20Is and Tests but is still an active ODI player. The Bangladesh legend is without question one of the finest players to play the game with more than 7000 runs and 300 wickets to his name.
Rashid Khan: Rashid Khan is by far the best white-ball spinner in world cricket at the moment and is set to finish asc a career among the greatest. In ODI cricket, he has taken 190 wickets in just 105 games . He is also a reliable batter and consistently provides his team with quick finishes.
Shaheen Afridi: Shaheen Afridi has shown shades of brilliance in all three formats but ODI cricket is where he has left a strong impression. The left-arm pacer has 106 wickets in just 54 matches in the format.
Jasprit Bumrah: Be it Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, Jasprit Bumrah will be the first name on the teamsheet for any side across the world. The Indian pacer has already cemented his status as among the best pacers in history. In ODI cricket, Bumrah has 149 wickets to his name in just 40 matches.
Mohammed Shami: Mohammed Shami is another player that is an all-format great but the ODI format is where he has produces his best. He is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the ODI World Cup with 55 wickets in 18 matches. Overall, he has 195 wickets in just 101 games.