Rashid Khan
Image: IPL/BCCI

Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada to play for MI Cape Town in CSA T20 League: Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan and South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada have been signed by MI Cape Town, a franchise in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 League. The two names mentioned above are among the five direct signings made by MI Cape Town.

Notably, Reliance Industries, owner of the most successful Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians, have gone global by acquiring a franchise based in Cape Town in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 league. In addition to this, Reliance Industries have also bought a franchise (MI Emirates) in the UAE’s International League T20.

The franchise will take part in the inaugural season of the CSA T20 League under the brand identity ‘MI Cape Town.” 

Besides Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, MI Cape Town bagged English premier all-rounder Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran along with talented uncapped Protea batter Dewald Bravid.

For the IPL reference, Rashid Khan plays for Gujarat Titans, Kagiso Rabada and Liam are signed by Punjab Kings while Dewald Bravis played his first IPL season in 2022 with Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, Sam Curran, last featured in the IPL for CSK, pulled out of the IPL 2022 due to injury concerns.

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As per the rules and regulations set up for the league, each of the six competing franchises will get to sign five players – three foreign, one capped and one uncapped South African, ahead of the auctions. MI Cape Town are the first team to officially announce its five pre-signings.

Akash Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Jio, welcomed all the five pre-signings as Mumbai Indians take their first global step towards building the MI philosophy. 

“I’m excited as we begin our journey in building MI Cape Town,” Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio, the owners of MI Cape Town, said. “With our direct player signings, we have taken the first step towards building the MI philosophy – having a strong core around which the team will be planned. I am glad to welcome Rashid, Kagiso, Liam, Sam, to the #OneFamily and happy to have Dewald continue with us on this new journey.”

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