SA20 2025: Ben Stokes, Azmatullah Omarzai join MI Cape Town
What's the story
MI Cape Town have announced the signing of Ben Stokes and Azmatullah Omarzai for the upcoming SA20 season.
This move comes as part of their strategy to improve performance after finishing last in both the previous editions.
The team's roster already includes pre-signed overseas players Rashid Khan and Trent Boult, along with Nuwan Thushara and Chris Benjamin, who have been retained from the last season.
Roster
MI Cape Town's domestic player line-up for SA20 2025
The domestic player line-up for MI Cape Town is equally impressive, featuring Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, and George Linde.
They are joined by Delano Potgieter, Thomas Kaber, and Connor Esterhuizen.
This will be Boult's fourth stint with a Mumbai Indians-owned team after his tenures at Mumbai Indians in the IPL, MI New York in MLC, and MI Emirates in ILT20.
Strategy
SA20 franchises target marquee English Test players
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, SA20 franchises are actively recruiting marquee Test players from England for the third edition in 2025.
This strategy was implemented after many English players were unavailable due to their tour of India during the 2024 season.
The upcoming SA20 edition is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 8, providing an opportunity for these players to participate fully in both ILT20 and SA20 seasons.
Update
Stokes's England contract and franchise league appearances
Stokes's contract with England is set to expire at the end of September, following his decision to decline a three-year deal last year.
He has not played a white-ball game for England since the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, and hasn't featured in a T20I since November 2022.
Currently sidelined due to a hamstring tear, Stokes is aiming for a comeback during the Test tour of Pakistan starting on October 7.