Mumbai Franchise went global with the addition of teams in the T20 leagues of South Africa and UAE earlier this year. The new teams of the franchise are set to debut in their inaugural seasons in January next year. Both teams have some of the best players of the shortest format.
Former West Indies star allrounder Kieron Pollard is appointed as the captain of MI Emirates, featuring some experts of the format like Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, and Imran Tahir, among others will debut in the ILT20 which is set to begin on January 13, 2023. The 35-year-old recently called his time off from all forms of cricket. The Windies all-rounder won five IPL trophies with Mumbai, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Talking about MI Cape Town, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan will be leading the franchise in South Africa T20 League. The team features the South African core of Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, and Rassie van der Dussen, along with some international stars Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone. The SA20 League will begin on January 10 next year with MI Cape Town set to play the opening game.
‘I am convinced that Polly and Rashid will take forward’- Akash Ambani
Mumbai Franchise owner Akash Ambani said that he is extremely happy to extend the MI Global one family and believes that Pollard and Rashid use their experience to lead the new teams, he thinks that both will take forward the team’s spirit.
“We are extremely pleased to announce our captains for our extended MI Global one family for the cricketing season 2023. We have an amazing mix of talent, experience, and passion in both our captains,” Mumbai Franchise owner Akash Ambani was quoted as saying.
“I am convinced that Polly and Rashid will take forward the MI ethos and MI brand of cricket. Both will work with our excellent coaching teams to infuse the MI spirit in MI Emirates and MI Cape Town and win the hearts of cricket fans in UAE and South Africa,” he added.
