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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket are excited that the inaugural Zim Afro T10 will usher in a new chapter in the domestic game after some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry threw their weight behind the inaugural event.
The association revealed legendary Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt has acquired the franchise of Harare Hurricanes while two-time Pakistan Super League Champions, Lahore Qalandars, have invested in a franchise to be called the Durban Qalandars.
The Zim Afro T10 tournament is set to take place in Harare next month.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni expressed his delight with the developments, which he believes have set the stage for an exciting event.
“To see some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry throw their weight behind the Zim Afro T10 gives me immense pleasure, and tells me that the tournament is being well received.
“Now, all that is left is that the Harare Hurricanes put in a brilliant showing in the tournament next month,” said Makoni.
Dutt will co-own the Harare Hurricanes franchise with Sir Sohan Roy, who is the founder, chairman and CEO of Aries Group of Companies.
This will be the partnership’s first activity into the sport of cricket. Indian actor and entrepreneur Dutt said they were aiming to bring excitement to Zimbabwe by their involvement in the shortest version of the game.
“Cricket is like a religion in India, and as one of the biggest nations in the sport, I feel it is our duty to take the game to every corner of the world.
“Zimbabwe has a rich history in the sport and to associate with that and help fans have a great time is something that truly gives me joy.
“I am looking forward to the Harare Hurricanes doing really well at the Zim Afro T10,” said Dutt.
His counterpart, Roy, is also optimistic.
“I am delighted to work with Sanjay Dutt as we make our team the Harare Hurricanes at the Zim Afro T10. It is the most entertaining and enterprising format in the sport and this association has a chance to realise a childhood dream. May the best team win at the Zim Afro T10,” Roy said.
The Zim Afro T10 is set to get underway on July 20, with a grand final scheduled for July 29. The Zim Afro T10 represents franchise cricket’s first foray in Zimbabwe and the tournament will have five privately owned teams battling it out for the top prize.
The other four teams are Durban Qalandars, Cape Town Samp Army, Bulawayo Braves and the Joburg Lions.
The player’s draft is slated to take place on July 2 at a grand ceremony in Harare.
The event has been organised by T Ten Global Sports in partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket. T Ten Global Sports Founder and Chairman Mr Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk applauded the coming on board of the Harare Hurricanes.
“Sohan Roy and Sanjay Dutt coming together is a dream partnership for me, and I am extremely happy that they have chosen the Zim Afro T10 to begin their cricketing journey.
“Both, Sohan and Sanjay, are very dynamic and great leaders, and I am sure that their team, Harare Hurricanes, will display those characteristics at the Zim Afro T10,” said Ul Mulk.
This comes as the Pakistan Super League Champions Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday announced they have acquired the Durban franchise in the Zim Afro T10, and it will be called the Durban Qalandars.
The franchise is owned by the Pakistani businessmen Atif Naeem Rana and Sameen Naeem Rana. The Lahore Qalandars have won two titles (2022 & 2023) in the Pakistan Super League and the new Durban Qalandars franchise will look to replicate their success in the Zim Afro T10. “We are elated to welcome the Qalandars to the Zim Afro T10 and Zimbabwe Cricket family,” said Makoni.
“They have been very successful in Pakistan and we hope that they can bring their entertaining brand of cricket for the local fans here as well. They come with a tradition of attracting the best players, and we hope to see more of that.”
Sameen Naeem Rana, Owner and CEO of Durban Qalandars said: “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,”.
The other franchise for the inaugural tournament, Cape Town Samp Army, is owned by the Samp Army cricket franchise, based in Morrisville in the US.
This is part of the global expansion plans of T Ten Sports Management, who are also owners of the Abu Dhabi T10 and Lanka T10 competitions, and are collaborating with ZC for this competition.
SAMP Army has already had participation in the Abu Dhabi T10 league since the last edition, and their collaboration with T Ten Sports grows further by taking up a spot in the competition.
SAMP Army teams regularly take part in the majority of USA Cricket sanctioned domestic T20 tournaments in the US, and provide regular opportunities for their players to play at the international level.
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