Mumbai Indians (MI) Cape Town Suffers Setback as Rashid Khan Ruled Out of SA20; Kieron Pollard to Captain
By Aayush Pathak January 8, 2024
Mumbai Indians (MI) Cape Town faces a setback as their marquee spinner, Rashid Khan, has been ruled out of the upcoming SA20 season, continuing his recovery from a recent back surgery. The legspinner’s absence was confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), despite his inclusion in the squad for the three-match T20I series in India.
In the absence of Rashid Khan, MI Cape Town has entrusted West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard with the captaincy for the upcoming SA20 season. Pollard, a stalwart in T20 cricket, will be making his debut in the South African league. The dynamic cricketer was also retained by MI Emirates for the ILT20 in 2024, but due to scheduling conflicts between the SA20 and ILT20, Nicholas Pooran will take over the captaincy for MI Emirates.
Nicholas Pooran to Lead MI Emirates in ILT20
As Kieron Pollard gears up to lead MI Cape Town in the SA20, Nicholas Pooran, Pollard’s Trinbago Knight Riders teammate, will assume the captaincy for MI Emirates during the second season of the ILT20. Pooran had declined his West Indies central contract in December 2023, opting to become a free agent. He was unveiled as Durban’s Super Giants’ wildcard pick in September 2023 and is expected to join MI Emirates for the latter part of the ILT20.
In response to the absence of Jofra Archer, MI Cape Town has secured the services of Sri Lanka’s fast bowler, Nuwan Thushara, for the upcoming SA20 season. Thushara’s inclusion adds depth to the team’s bowling lineup and presents a new challenge for opposing batsmen.
Scheduling Challenges for MI Emirates
The SA20, scheduled to run from January 10 to February 10, and the ILT20, set to take place from January 19 to February 17, present a logistical challenge for MI Emirates. With Pollard likely to join MI Emirates for the final leg of the ILT20, the franchises will need to navigate the overlapping schedules effectively.
As Mumbai Indians Cape Town adjusts to the absence of Rashid Khan and embraces the leadership of Kieron Pollard, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the performances of these T20 stars in the upcoming SA20 season. The clash of T20 leagues around the world adds an extra layer of excitement, with players juggling commitments across multiple tournaments.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
You might also like
Recommended to you
