Shahid Afridi and Herschelle Gibbs to feature in the Sphageeza Cricket League

Afghanistan is the newest addition to the list of nations hosting T20 tournaments. With the Sphageeza Cricket League right around the corner, some exciting news is there on offer for cricket lovers. Pakistan’s famed power-hitter, Shahid Afridi and Protean star batsman, Herschelle Gibbs will feature in the league, as batsman and coach respectively. Both the players will be a part of the franchise Muslimyar Speenghar Tigers.

Former Pakistan player and captain, Afridi has been making headlines of late with his terrific century for Hampshire against Derbyshire, in the Natwest T20 Bash. The 37-year old was seen in his typical swashbuckling form as he smashed 101 runs off just 42 deliveries. Gibbs, on his part, will be making his coaching debut in the much talked about T20 league.

Afridi and Gibbs to be part of Muslimyar Speenghar Tigers

As reported by Sportstar, Afridi has confirmed his participation as the captain of the Muslimyar Speenghar Tigers. “I’ll be playing in the Afghan T20 league supporting and promoting peace through cricket,” he said. Gibbs has also expressed his eagerness to be a part of the championship and said, “Yes, I will be joining the Speenghar Tigers as the coach.” He also revealed that he’s been travelling for the next couple of days in order to reach Kabul for the tournament.

Although there had been a few hiccups along the way for the T20 league being organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), things seem to be headed in the right direction now. The tense stand-off between the ACB and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), where the former board had severed ties with the latter in the aftermath of the tragic blasts in Kabul and Pakistani players, subsequently, had not been granted No Objection Certificates (NOC) by their Board, has been reportedly resolved.

ACB Chief, Atif Mashal has spoken about the matter and confirmed Afridi’s inclusion into the league, reported Sportstar.  “Shahid Afridi will come to play in Kabul. Only those Pakistani cricketers who have central contract might not be available because of international commitments. The rest will come. We have also got NOC for the West Indies and Bangladesh players,” said Mashal.