Key Pakistan players among direct signings for Zim Afro T10's second season

David Warner, James Neesham, Asif Ali, and Haider Ali have been announced as direct signings for the second season of the Zim Afro T10 league.

The six-team tournament, which will take place in Harare from September 21 to 29, has franchises selecting their icon and global superstars ahead of the player draft scheduled for September 8.

Each of the 15-member squads will also have an additional global icon as their 16th player. Teams will feature up to six local Zimbabwean players, with the icon and global star spots open to Zimbabwean talent as well.

Warner, along with Carlos Brathwaite, has been signed by the Bulawayo Braves Jaguars. The Cape Town Samp Army secured the services of David Willey, Dawid Malan, Gulbadin Naib, and Qais Ahmed. The Durban Wolves added Colin Munro, Mark Chapman, and Yasir Shah to their roster, while Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s towering fast bowler, joined the New York Strikers Lagos. Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain will team up with Neesham and Dasun Shanaka at the Harare Bolts.

Rishad, 22, recently secured a deal with the Hobart Hurricanes during the BBL draft, after becoming Bangladesh's top wicket-taker in this year’s T20 World Cup, where he claimed 14 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 7.76.

Following the Zim Afro T10, the cricket season will continue with the US Masters League, Abu Dhabi T10, and the inaugural Lanka T10, all scheduled to wrap up by December.

The league has also confirmed its head coaches for the upcoming season. Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan will coach the Durban Wolves, while Chaminda Vaas has been appointed head coach of the New York Strikers Lagos.

Owais Shah will lead the Bulawayo Braves Jaguars, and James Foster will coach the Cape Town Samp Army. Julian Wood will continue as head coach of the Joburg Bangla Tigers, and Pubudu Dassanayake will take charge of the Harare Bolts.

Direct signings in Zim Afro T10:

Harare Bolts: Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka: Global Superstar), James Neesham (New Zealand: Icon), George Munsey (Scotland), Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh), Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Kennar Lewis (West Indies)

Bulawayo Braves Jaguars: David Warner (Australia: Icon), Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies), Nick Hobson (Australia), Kobe Herft (Australia)

Durban Wolves: Colin Munro (New Zealand: Global Superstar), Mark Chapman (New Zealand: Icon), Will Smeed (England), Sharjeel Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan), Yasir Shah (Pakistan)

Cape Town Samp Army: Haider Ali (Pakistan: Global Superstar), David Willey (England: Icon), Dawid Malan (England), Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan), Qais Ahmed (Afghanistan), Adam Rossington (England), Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan)

NYS Lagos: Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe: Global Superstar), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka: Icon), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan), Binura Fernando (Sri Lanka), Akhilesh Bogudum (USA), Oshane Thomas (West Indies)

Jo'Burg Bangla Tigers: Chris Lynn (Australia: Global Superstar), Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka: Icon), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan), Adam Milne (New Zealand), Luke Wood (England), Karim Janat (Afghanistan)