There are some very prominent names from the international cricketing fraternity who are all set to lead the five Canadian franchise teams in the inaugural Global T20 Canada (www.GT20.ca) that will be played in Toronto from June 28 to July 15.
Legendary Pakistani fast bowler and former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis will be with the Winnipeg Eagles, while Tom Moody who was recently with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL will lead the Montreal Tigers.
Phil Simmons will take his place in the Toronto Nationals dugout, while Mohammad Akram will head the Edmonton Royals franchise.
Jamaican Donovan Miller will coach the Vancouver Knights.
All of these coaches will be part of the players’ draft which will by conduct by the organisers virtually on June 3rd.
Apart from two of the 10 marquee players announced on May 24, a coach will select 14 players for his team from the pool. In just a fortnight since opening registration, more than 1,500 players from around the world have registered for the selection.
Speaking about this new venture, Younis said, “I look forward to this experience. I have fond memories of playing in Toronto in the 1990s. I still remember the kind of excitement it created at that time and this time it should be no different. Global T20 has announced some magnificent names as marquee players. I am looking forward to the draft and making a well-balanced side for my franchise, Winnipeg Eagles.”
Meanwhile, Tom Moody, a World Cup winner himself with Australia stressed on the importance of this move and said, “This is truly a wonderful opportunity for the game in Canada and North America. I am delighted to be involved as one of the head coaches of the league. I will do everything possible in my role to support the success of this tournament.”
Simmons, who is currently with the Afghanistan team and will join the Toronto Nationals, holders of the number one selection in the draft, said, “Competition like this in the North America region is very much the need of the hour to strengthen the development of the game in an associate country like Canada. I am looking forward to sharing my coaching experience with Toronto Nationals and would like to congratulate Cricket Canada and Global T20 Canada for this initiative.”
Among the marquee players who will be part of this movement and the draft, all eyes will be on Australia's Steve Smith, who returns to the cricket field for the first time since the ball-tampering saga that rocked the Australian cricketing fraternity during their tour of South Africa. Along with him, also present in the same capacity will be the likes of Shahid Afridi, Lasith Malinga and Chris Gayle to name a few.
Marquee Players:
Chris Gayle, West Indies
Andre Russell, West Indies
Shahid Afridi, Pakistan
Daren Sammy, West Indies
Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka
Steve Smith, Australia
Sunil Narine, West Indies
Chris Lynn, Australia
David Miller, South Africa
Dwayne Bravo, West Indies
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