Kenya to host 2008 Afro-Asia Cup

Kenya will hold the third and final edition of the Afro-Asia Cup to be held in 2008, according to the country's cricket board. The African state was picked to host the event at the recently-concluded 2007 version of the series in which the Asian XI won the solitary Twenty20 as well as winning all three ODIs.

"We are honoured and privileged to host the third and last edition in the first and second week of June 2008," said Samir Inamdar, Cricket Kenya chairman, on arrival from India. "This is one method of raising the profile of the game in the country."

The hosting alternates between Africa and Asia and only time there is a gap in the international calendar in the next two years is in the second, third and fourth weeks of June 2008, hence the timing of the competition. According to Inamdar, the dates have been set for late June to suit international commitments that prevent several big names from being involved in the tournament.

Money raised by the tournament is split 70% to the host association, in this case the African Cricket Association, 20% to the visitors, the ACC, and 10% to the Sightsavers charity.

This is the second time the tournament will be held in Africa after the inaugural edition took place in South Africa.The last major tournament hosted in Kenya was the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy but there were concerns raised at the time about the organisation and support from the local population. Given that the 2005 event was held in South Africa, the choice was between Zimbabwe and Kenya, and the deteriorating political and social situation in Zimbabwe made that to risky an option.