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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national team captain Craig Ervine has been named captain of the Durban Qalandars team for the upcoming Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 tournament.
Ervine, who was the first player to be picked by the side during the player draft held two weeks ago, has also played leadership roles in the Zimbabwe national cricket team where he is the white-ball captain.
He is in the same franchise team with Chevrons teammates Tendai Chatara, Brad Evans, Clive Madande and former Zimbabwe youth international Nick Welch.
The Qalandars side, which also has veterans of Pakistan cricket such as Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir have set themselves big targets. This comes as the Pakistan Super League Champions Lahore Qalandars announced they have acquired the Durban Qalandars franchise for the Zim Afro T10.
The franchise is owned by the Pakistani businessmen Atif Naeem Rana and Sameen Naeem Rana. The Lahore Qalandars have won two titles (2022 and 2023) in the Pakistan Super League and the new Durban Qalandars franchise will look to replicate their success in the Zim Afro T10.
Sameen Naeem Rana, Owner and CEO of Durban Qalandars said recently: “After winning two consecutive seasons in the PSL, we want to expand our footprint and Zimbabwe is a great chance for us to make a mark.
“The Zim Afro T10 is surely going to be a very exciting tournament – it is the fastest format in the game after all, and we cannot wait to connect with the fans there and create a strong fan base for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Test captain Sean Williams was yesterday appointed vice-captain of the Cape Town Samp Army ahead of the inaugural Zim Afro T10 tournament.
The franchise announced Williams will deputise former India wicket-keeper/batsman Parthiv Patel. “We are proud to announce the former Indian international Parthiv Patel as our captain and Zimbabwe’s own Sean Williams as our vice-captain. Can’t wait to see y’all lead the army!” the team said on their media platforms.
Williams has been enjoying fine form of late. He was recently voted Player of the Tournament at the 10-team ICC World Cup Qualifier that ended in Harare last weekend.
His performances also earned him nomination for the ICC Player of the Month of June, which, however, was won by Sri Lankan Wanindu Hararanga.
Williams will play alongside an array of international players such as Sheldon Cottrell of West Indies, the Sri Lanka pair of Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Maheesh Theekshana and Karim Janat and Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan.
Their coach is former South Africa international and ex-Zimbabwe batting coach Lance Klusener. Klusener worked with the Samp Army franchise during the Abu Dhabi T10 last year. The Zim Afro T10 is an extension of the Abu Dhabi T10, which is owned by T Ten Sports Management, who are also the organisers of the historic Zimbabwe tournament, together with Zimbabwe Cricket.
The tournament represents franchise cricket’s first foray in Zimbabwe and is expected to get underway on July 20 and culminate in a grand final on July 29 with five teams taking part.
Online Reporter