Sikander Raza Among The Top Picks At The Player Draft As Franchises Assemble Dynamic Squads For Zim Afro T10 Season 2

New Delhi: The vibrant cricketing atmosphere of Harare is set to host the second season of the Zim Afro T10, with the tournament scheduled to take place from September 21 to September 29 at the Harare Sports Club. This season promises to be a cricketing spectacle with six franchises having assembled strong and well-balanced squads through a competitive Player Draft, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
The Zim Afro T10 has attracted a host of international stars, with big names such as David Warner, Sikandar Raza, Colin Munro, Dawid Malan, Carlos Brathwaite, and Chris Lynn ready to dazzle the crowd. Alongside these global icons, the tournament will also shine a spotlight on Zimbabwean cricketers, who have been in fine form in recent months, adding to the excitement of the home fans.
More than 400 players had registered for the Player Draft, which featured 12 rounds of selections. The six franchises drafted a total of 64 players, with the Bulawayo Braves Jaguars picking 12 players to complete their 16-member squad.
The Cape Town Samp Army, one of the standout teams, had already secured the services of Haider Ali (Pakistan), David Willey (England), Dawid Malan (England), Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan), Qais Ahmed (Afghanistan), Adam Rossington (England), and Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan) as their pre-draft signings. During the Player Draft, they further bolstered their squad by adding Rohan Mustafa (Pakistan), Salman Irshad (Pakistan), and several promising Zimbabwean players including Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani.
The Durban Wolves also made significant moves, adding experienced internationals like Colin Munro (New Zealand), Mark Chapman (New Zealand), and Will Smeed (England) to their roster ahead of the draft. They complemented these signings by picking up local talents such as Regis Chakabva and Gary Ballance, enhancing their squad’s depth and balance.
The Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers, led by Australian power-hitter Chris Lynn, secured the services of stars like Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka) and Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) before the draft. They further strengthened their lineup by drafting Zimbabwean icon Sikandar Raza, among others.
NYS Lagos, another franchise with a strong roster, had already signed players like Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe) and Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka). Their draft picks included Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka) and local talents such as Ryan Burl and Clive Madande.
The Bulawayo Braves Jaguars, with David Warner (Australia) as their marquee player, added international stars like Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies) and Laurie Evans (England) alongside Zimbabwean standouts like Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere, forming a well-rounded team.
Harare Bolts, who will be playing on their home turf, have also built a formidable squad, headlined by Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka) and James Neesham (New Zealand). Their draft picks, which included experienced Zimbabwean players like Sean Williams and Luke Jongwe, have added further strength to their lineup.
Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, the founder and chairman of T Ten Global Sports, expressed his excitement ahead of the tournament. “There is a lot of excitement ahead of Season 2 of Zim Afro T10 as the most entertaining players are set to rewrite the record books in Harare. The squads are all very competitive, strong but with a good mix of youth as well. I hope the players have a fantastic tournament, and may the best team win!”
As the countdown to the tournament begins, cricket fans in Harare and beyond are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exhilarating and action-packed season of the Zim Afro T10.