Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan named captains of MI Emirates and MI Cape Town

Former West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard will lead MI Emirates in the inaugural edition of the International League T20 League while Rashid Khan will captain MI Cape Town in the SA20 opening season.

Pollard has been associated with the Mumbai Indians franchise since the 2010 edition and played a big role in their successful title-winning campaigns. The West Indian recently announced his retirement from IPL after which Mumbai Indians did not retain him for the next season.  

On the other hand, Rashid Khan is among the top T20 players going around the world and has captained his country in the past. The all-rounder was picked in the draft by MI Cape Town franchise ahead of the auction in the overseas category and the Afghanistan spinner is a match-winner with both the bat and ball. 

MI will be hoping to replicate a similar success story from IPL into global tournaments and they have picked up some big names already for South Africa's SA20 league and UAE’s International League T20.  

I’m convinced that Polly and Rashid will take forward the MI ethos and MI brand of cricket: Akash Ambani 

Meanwhile, one of the owners of the MI teams, Akash Ambani was delighted with the appointment of the respective captains and seems assured of them bringing success. He further is hopeful that the fans will be filled with the MI spirit globally and not only in India. 

“We’re extremely pleased to announce our captains for our extended MI Global one family for the cricketing season 2023. We have an amazing mix of talent, experience, and passion in both our captains. I’m convinced that Polly (Kieron Pollard) and Rashid will take forward the MI ethos and MI brand of cricket.

Both will work with our excellent coaching teams to infuse the MI spirit in MI Emirates and MI Cape Town and win the hearts of cricket fans in UAE and South Africa,” Akash Ambani said as quoted by Mumbai Indians official website.