Afro Asia Cup honors shared due to rain

Afro Asia Cup honors shared due to rain

Agence France-Presse, Durban, South Africa

The Africa XI and the Asia XI shared the Afro Asia Cup when the third and final match was abandoned because of rain at Kingsmead on Sunday.

The Asians were struggling at eight for two in reply to the Africa XI's modest 106 all out when rain stopped play.

Asia XI opening bowlers Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan and Zaheer Khan of India exploited helpful conditions to wreck the African batting.

In a match reduced to 48 overs a side after a late start because of rain, the African innings lasted only 32.5 overs. The two sides had won once each in the first two matches, the first inter-continental clashes to be granted official one-day international status.

Shoaib, bowling at express pace in gloomy light, took two for 11 in an opening spell of seven overs, while man of the series Khan took three for 21, bowling all his 10 overs in a single spell.

It was the Indian left-armer's third successive three-wicket haul. He took three for 37 and three for 43 in the first two matches.

The Africa XI were 26 for five and 54 for seven before Shaun Pollock (44 not out) and Heath Streak (14) added 51 for the eighth wicket before the last three wickets fell for one run.

Conditions remained difficult for batting when the Asia XI started their innings. Virender Sehwag hit a boundary off Pollock but in the next over was bowled by a fast, full-length delivery from Dale Steyn, which straightened off the pitch and hit his off stump.

Shahid Afridi skied a catch to midwicket off Pollock and an interesting finish seemed possible, especially as the Asians had substituted one of their batsmen, Mohammad Ashraful, so they could get bowler Ashish Nehra into the action.

Mahela Jayawardene joined Kumar Sangakkara but five balls later the rain returned.

The series was played in the South African winter and did not attract big crowds. After attendance of 3,800 and 5,380 at the first two matches, there were fewer than 3,000 for the decider, although it was hardly surprising because the weather was always threatening.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, chairman of Afro Asia Cricket Cooperation, said a three-year sponsorship had been secured for the Afro Asia Cup.

The next tournament will be played in Asia. Profits will go to cricket development in the two countries, apart from a 10 percent share which will go to sight-related charities.