Kieron Pollard appointed as MI Cape Town skipper ahead of SA20 2024, Pooran lead MI Emirates

Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Legendary West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has been named the captain of MI Cape Town ahead of SA 20 2024 while Nicholas Pooran will lead MI Emirates in ILT20 2024, Mumbai Indians announced on Sunday, January 07. Pollard will replace Rashid Khan as the skipper for the second season of SA20 as the Afghan wrist spinner continues to recover from an injury.

Notably, Pooran led MI New York to a title win in the inaugural season of the Major League Cricket with a sensational innings of 137* (55) in the final against Seattle Orcas. The 28-year-old was also the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 388 runs from eight innings at an average of 64.66 and a strike rate of 167.24.

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He will be expected to deliver the same result in the ILT20 as well where MI Emirates fell one step short of reaching the final in the inaugural edition as they lost against Gujarat Giants by 4 wickets in Qualifier 2.

The southpaw had a brilliant run in the inaugural edition finishing as the fifth-highest run scorer of the season with 355 runs to his name from ten innings at an average of 50.71 and a strike rate of 142.57 with two fifties.

On the other hand, MI Cape Town had a forgettable first season of the SA20 finishing on the last spot in the points table with just three wins from ten games. Notably, Pollard was not part of the squad in the opening season as Rashid Khan led the side.

MI Cape Town will face Durban Super Giants in their opening fixture

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The all-rounder is one of the legendary players to have ever played for the franchise in the IPL (Indian Premier League) being part of their five title victories. The 36-year-old has scored 3412 runs for MI and has also scalped 69 wickets. The Trinidad-born batter will be expected to lift the side in the upcoming edition after a forgetful first season. MI Cape Town will start their campaign with a game against Durban Super Giants on Thursday, January 11 at Kingsmead Durban.