T10 is cricket’s fastest growing format. In order to promote this exciting and entertaining annual flagship event, T10 league is coming back for its seventh season in Abu Dhabi this year between 28th November and 9th December. Last night the draft was held between the eight participating franchises. Among all the global draftees, ten Afghan players were selected to feature in this year’s edition.
Gurbaz sneaks into the roster of New York Strikers
Among the big Afghan names, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was locked by New York Strikers as their early pick. Recently Gurbaz has completed 1000 runs in ODI cricket in the world cup starter against Bangladesh. His stunning performances have kept the interests of talent scouts going in the global leagues. Fazalhaq Farooqi was earlier retained by Delhi Bulls from previous year’s roster. From the draft they added Naveen-ul-Haq as their second experienced seamer.
Mystery spinner Alla Muhammad Ghazanfar to feature in T10 league for the first time
Deccan Gladiators have grabbed left arm wrist spinners Zahir Khan and Waqar Salamkheil as fall back options of Imran Tahir, who had slipped through their hands during the draft. Team Abu Dhabi have also gone behind Noor Ahmad and Alla Muhammad Ghazanfar as their two strong mystery spin options. What’s interesting is that all the three Afghan left arm wrist spinners have made it in the league. Samp Army have acquired the services of southpaw Najibullah Zadran as their hard hitting batting option in the middle order. Morrisville have also retained their favorite Karim Janat from the previous season. Northern Warriors have chipped in for Hazratullah Zazai as one of their premium openers after taking due consideration of his performance in the Zim-Afro T10 league.
Omarzai and Atal misses out from the draft
The Chennai Braves and Bangla Tigers didn’t go for any of the Afghanistan players in the draft. There are definitely few misses like Omarzai who’s true potential as a dangerous T10 player is yet to be unleashed. The world have also not seen the carnage Sediq Atal can bring about in this format. Having said that, both of them will get the opportunity to showcase their talents in the ongoing cricket world cup in India and the upcoming Oman tour. Qais Ahmad too misses out from the league this year.
List of Afghanistan Picks:
- New York Strikers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Northern Warriors: Hazratullah Zazai
- Samp Army: Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran
- Delhi Bulls: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq
- Team Abu Dhabi: Noor Ahmad, Alla Muhammad Ghazanfar
- Deccan Gladiators: Zahir Khan, Waqar Salamkheil