The much-awaited Zim Afro T10 is less than three weeks away, and the five squads for the tournament have been confirmed. Beginning 20th July, some of the best white-ball cricketers will descend upon Harare, promising to entertain fans with keenly contested games. The grand final of the tournament is scheduled for 29th July, with all matches being played in Harare.
The inaugural edition of Zim Afro T10 is a landmark tournament as franchise cricket becomes a part of Zimbabwean cricket for the first time. The five teams set to battle it out for top honors are the Durban Qalandars, CapeTown Samp Army, Harare Hurricanes, Bulawayo Braves, and Johannesburg Buffaloes. During a grand ceremony at the Player Draft, the think tanks of these franchises finalized their squads, forming impressive line-ups that promise to produce scintillating cricket.
The Durban Qalandars boast a squad of 15 players and have drafted in top talents such as Asif Ali, Mohammed Amir, George Linde, Hazratullah Zazai, and Tim Sifert, among others. Meanwhile, the CapeTown Samp Army has 17 players on their roster, featuring stars like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shaun Williams, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
The Harare Hurricanes, also with 17 players, have influential players such as Eoin Morgan, Mohamed Nabi, and Evin Lewis headlining their squad. The Bulawayo Braves, with a squad of 15 players, have signed on prominent names including Sikander Raza, Taskin Ahmed, and Ashton Turner. Lastly, the Johannesburg Buffaloes are the only team with a squad of 16 players, with notable additions such as Mushfiqur Rahim and Tom Banton.
Additionally, all teams will add another player to their squads in the coming days through the nationwide Emerging Player program. This program aims to provide young cricketers with an opportunity to showcase their skills on the big stage.
Expressing his excitement, Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Mr. Givemore Makoni said, “This is a historic day for Zimbabwean cricket, and we can’t wait to open up the doors for such talented cricketers. Each of the five squads looks extremely strong, and I am sure the cricket on display will be of the highest order. The Zim Afro T10 will also give young cricketers a boost as they rub shoulders with some of the best players in the world.”
T Ten Global Sports Founder and Chairman Mr. Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk also shared his enthusiasm, stating, “The Zim Afro T10’s Player Draft is a very big day for the T Ten family and Zimbabwean cricket as well. We are thrilled to see that the squads are well balanced and quite strong, which indicates that the tournament will be highly competitive. We can’t wait for the tournament to begin and witness the best
cricketers from Zimbabwe and around the world entertain one and all. I wish all the teams the very best as they prepare for this cricket festival.”
The countdown has begun, and cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the thrilling clashes that await them in the Zim Afro T10 tournament.
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