The Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Lahore Qalandars have acquired the Durban franchise in the upcoming Zim Afro T10 and it will be called as Durban Qalandars, the owners announced on Monday.
Notably, the franchise is owned by Pakistan-based businessmen Atif Naeem Rana and Sameen Naeem Rana. The Qalandars have so far, won two titles (2022 & 2023) in the PSL and they will aim to replicate their success with the Durban-based team in Zim Afro T10.
“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 fanbase for ourselves,” said Sameen Naeem Rana, Owner & CEO of Durban Qalandars, in a media release.
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 while the other four teams will be Harare Hurricanes, CapeTown Samp Army, Bulawayo Braves and the Joburg Lions.
The Zim Afro T10, set to be held in association with T Ten Global Sports, will begin on July 20, with a grand final scheduled for 29 July, with all the games being played in Harare and the players’ draft is likely to be held on July 2 at a grand event in Harare.
“We are elated to welcome the Qalandars to the Zim Afro T10 and Zimbabwe Cricket family. 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,” said Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni.
T Ten Global Sports Founder and Chairman, Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk said: “It is great to have the champions from the Pakistan Super League join us in the Zim Afro T10 as the Durban Qalandars. They have had a long-lasting effect in the PSL and we hope to see them play a similar kind of role in the Zim Afro T10. I expect a stiff competition and some entertaining cricket from the Durban Qalandars from the very first ball. The fans are eagerly awaiting for this festival of cricket to begin.”