Qalandars land Chris Morris, Fakhar Zaman, in T20 Global League Draft

Big-hitting South African all-rounder Chris Morris and Pakistan’s poster boy Fakhar Zaman were picked by the Durban Qalandars squad the inaugural T20 Global League season in Cape Town on Sunday.

At a player-draft ceremony held at the Westin Hotel, the eight 18-man squads for the competition were finalised, with Pakistan’s former captain Mohammad Hafeez, Englishman Sam Billings, and Mitchell McClenaghan of New Zealand completing the foreign quota for franchise owner Fawad Rana and his team.

The Qalandars signed-up English limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan as their Foreign Marquee player at the mini draft on Saturday. Hashim Amla was decided as the squad’s Proteas Marquee player in April.

The Qalandars – that had the first pick after an order of selection lottery was held in the build-up – wasted little time in selecting Chris Morris, who was considered as one of the most sought after players. The 30-year-old has a batting strike rate of over 150 in T20 cricket, while his average with the ball is 21.72.

Franchise owner was particularly excited to have Zaman on board. The 27-year-old is one of the hottest properties in the game at present, after playing a significant role in leading Pakistan to victory in the recent ICC Champions Trophy in England.

He scored a century in a man-of-the-match performance in the final at Lords, helping Pakistan beat India in the series.

“I always wanted to introduce this player, who is the latest sensation in the cricketing world, to Durbanites,” Rana said. “After making a century against India in the [ICC Champions Trophy] final, he has become the pride of Lahore and indeed the pride of Pakistan.”

Local players Daryn Dupavillon, Mthokozisi Shezi, Prenelan Subrayan, and Cody Chetty will give the Qalandars some expertise of the conditions in Durban, while players like Junior Dala, Qaasim Adams, and Nicky van den Bergh are experienced domestic players in the country.

“I'm really happy with that selection and I think we have a wonderful squad. My team is very happy and so am I because we have a good mix of some young players and some experienced players, so I think it’s a very balanced team,” Rana said.

The T20 Global League will be held during November and December, across eight cities in South Africa.

The complete Durban Qalandars squad includes (in order of draft pick): Hashim Amla (Marquee), Eoin Morgan (International Marquee), Chris Morris, Sam Billings, Mitchell McClenaghan, Bjorn Fortuin, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Junior Dala, Qaasim Adams, Migael Pretorius, Nicky van den Bergh, Prenelan Subrayan, Kelly Smuts, Marques Ackerman, Daryn Dupavillon, Mthokozisi Shezi, and Cody Chetty.