Bangalore, Chennai to host Cricket Afro-Asian Cup in June

Bangalore and Chennai will host the second Afro-Asian Cup one-day series in June during which three matches between combined teams from the Asian and African continents will be played.

Bangalore will host the first match on June 6 and Chennai on June 9 and 10, Sharad Pawar, chairman of Afro-Asian Cricket Cooperation, told reporters.

He said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted one-day international status to the three games.

The series will be preceded by two Twenty-20 matches, one between the women's teams of the two continents, in Bangalore on June 5.

"This will be the first time that the international 20-20 cricket is being played in India. Afro-Asian Cup does much to raise the funds necessary to push the actualities and support for the youth and junior cricket. The money will make tangible difference to many of the upcoming cricketers of the Africa and Asia. More opportunities for the competition and coaching will be created as a result and as the game broaden and deepen its appeal across our two vast continents, crickets will emerge even stronger, " Pawar said.

He said that the African Cricket Association and Asian Cricket Council would do their best to support them.

"Five matches are being played for the worthy cause namely 'cricket for unity'. With these opening remarks it is my privilege the Afro Asian Cup to be held on June 2007 and that will be in Bangalore and Chennai," added Pawar.

The Asia team for the tournament and the men's Twenty20 game will be selected on May 11.

Conceived as a fund-raiser for the African Cricket Association and Asian Cricket Council, the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2005 ended in 1-1 draw. The prize money for this year's cup is 100,000 dollars. (ANI)

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