Second Global T20 cricket clash begins this Thursday

By Ravendra Madholall

Vancouver Knights 2018 champions

The second edition of the Global T20 cricket tournament is set to bowl off this Thursday at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Toronto and excitement galore is once again greatly anticipated.
A galaxy of top-class T20 stars cricketers will feature when the action begins at 12:30hrs between defending champions Vancouver Knights and Toronto Nationals.

Reflecting on the success of the tournament at King City venue in 2018, cricket enthusiasts in North America should expect the same level of excitement as six teams are ready to rumble.
The other participating Franchises are: Edmonton Royals, Winnipeg Hawks, Montreal Tigers and Brampton Wolves.  The Wolves are the only new team for this year’s event replacing a West Indies “B” combination that featured in last year’s final.

Vancouver Knights will be once again led by West Indies destructive opening batsman Chris Gayle while the Toronto Nationals have former New Zealand skipper and prolific batsman Brendon McCullum as their skipper.

Apart from these two distinguished cricketers, other stalwarts are suiting up for different teams including Yuvraj Singh, Dwayne Bravo, Shahid Afridi, Keiron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Kane Williamson, George Bailey, Faf Du Plesis, Thisara Perera, Shakib Al Hasan and Darren Sammy.

Several senior members from the Canada national team will also be part of the action. Former skipper and attacking batsman Rizwan Cheema, left-arm orthodox spinner Saad Bin Zafar, who captured the player-of-the-match award last year for Vancouver Knights, energetic right-arm fast-bowler Jeremy Gordon, and stylist left-handed opener Ruvindra Gunasekera will get a massive opportunity to showcase their talents to the world.

Like last year, the tournament retains its round-robin format with the top team having a second chance to make it to the final at the knock-out stages.

The winners will take home $500,000.0 while the runner-up will pocket $250,000.00.