[3] There was much controversy over the final squad lists: many of the leading players were either unavailable for selection, withdrew from participating or chose to fulfil commitments with domestic teams.
However, after Africa had been bowled out for 106, the Asian innings was curtailed by rain, and the match eventually declared a no result.
[7][8] The competition was considered to be missing a large number of the top players from each continent, for several underlying reasons.
[10] In front of a crowd of about 1,000 people at Centurion – usually figures more associated with domestic cricket matches – Africa won the first of three ODIs.
After Africa XI had been bowled out for a measly 106, rain poured down steadily on Kingsmead, and the umpires eventually declared that play was not possible.
The rain had already caused the start of the game to be delayed for two hours, before Shoaib Akhtar and Zaheer Khan unleashed their fast bowling on the African side.
Then, Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock ripped out the two Asian openers Virender Sehwag and Shahid Afridi, and, with the score eight for 2, the weather intervened.