Asia XI whitewashed Africa XI in the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup ODI series. Many cricket fans would remember that it was a special series where the best cricketers from Asia teamed up to take on the best cricketers from Asia. Cricketers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were all in the same squad.
As per reports, ACC Chief Jay Shah is planning to revive that tournament in 2023. So, in this article now, we will look back the Asia XI squad from Afro-Asia Cup 2007 and where the player are now.
Indian players in Asia XI – MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar
Six members of India’s 2011 World Cup winning team were present in the Afro-Asia Cup series. Current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly was the seventh Indian player. All seven players have now retired.
Dhoni still plays IPL, while Harbhajan works as a commentator. Zaheer and Sehwag have also turned to coaching and commentary. Yuvraj and Sachin work as cricket experts and even run some businesses.
Pakistan players in Asia XI – Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif
Only three Pakistan players featured in the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup. Fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif played with batter Mohammad Yousuf.
All three players retired from international cricket long back. Yousuf works as a cricket coach now, while Akhtar and Asif share their views on the recent happenings in the cricket world.
Sri Lankan players – Mahela Jayawardene, Dilhara Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas
Six Sri Lankan players participated in Afro-Asia Cup. Mahela Jayawardene was the captain of the team and he also won the Man of the Series award for his 217 runs.
All six players have now retired. Jayawardene works as a coach, while Fernando plays cricket in the USA. Jayasuriya has tried his hand in politics. Vaas and Malinga have worked as coaches, while Tharanga plays in exhibition leagues.
Bangladeshi players – Mohammad Rafique and Mashrafe Mortaza
Two Bangladeshi players completed the Asia XI squad in the Afro-Asia Cup. Mohammad Rafique led the spin attack, while Mashrafe Mortaza was a fast-bowling all-rounder in the team.
Both players have retired from international cricket. Rafique captained Bangladesh Legends last year in Road Safety World Series, while Mortaza has joined politics.
