Pakistan's Naseem Shah among top international picks for SA20 season 3 auction

Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed on Wednesday that the SA20 player auctions are set to take place on October 1 in Cape Town, featuring 115 South African players and 75 international stars. The auction will see participation from players hailing from 14 different countries, adding a global flavor to the South African T20 league.

Among the notable international players who could be joining the tournament are Shamar Joseph, Josh Little, Naseem Shah, Saqib Mahmood, Qais Ahmad, and Kamindu Mendis. CSA has reportedly received applications from over 600 players, but only 13 will be sold during this competitive auction.

Graeme Smith, the league commissioner, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming event, stating, Some of the biggest names on the international T20 circuit have already signed up for season 3 and I am looking forward to see how the teams finalise their squads from this competitive auction list of players.”

Each franchise will have the opportunity to build a squad of 19 players, comprising 10 South Africans, 7 international players, one rookie, and one wildcard pick. The rookie draft will follow the auction, allowing teams to pick any South African player aged 22 or below. Rookies can either be selected in the initial auction or in the subsequent draft if they remain unsold.

In terms of financial muscle, the Paarl Royals lead the pack with a substantial budget of R11.950 million for the auction. Following them are MI Cape Town with R8.275 million and the Pretoria Capitals with R4.575 million. The Joburg Super Kings are set to spend R3.925 million, while the back-to-back champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, have R2.845 million. Last season’s runners-up, Durban’s Super Giants, will enter the auction with R2.35 million remaining in their purse.

Current Squad Breakdown Ahead of the Auction

Durban's Super Giants:
Brandon King (West Indies), Quinton De Kock, Naveen Ul Haq (Afghanistan), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Chris Woakes (England), Prenelan Subrayen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Noor Ahmed (Afghanistan), Heinrich Klaasen, Jon-Jon Smuts, Wiaan Mulder, Junior Dala, Bryce Parsons, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Marcus Stoinis (Australia).

Joburg Super Kings:
Faf Du Plessis, Moeen Ali (England), Jonny Bairstow (England), Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka), Devon Conway (New Zealand), Gerald Coetzee, David Wiese (Namibia), Leus Du Plooy (England), Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Imran Tahir, Sibonelo Makhanya, Tabraiz Shamsi.

MI Cape Town:
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Ben Stokes (England), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult (New Zealand), Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka), Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Rassie Van der Dussen, Thomas Kaber, Chris Benjamin (England), Corbin Bosch.

Pretoria Capitals:
Anrich Nortje, Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand), Will Jacks (England), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Liam Livingstone (England), Will Smeed (England), Migael Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Eathan Bosch, Wayne Parnell, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Steve Stolk, Tiaan van Vuuren.

Paarl Royals:
David Miller, Mujeeb Ur-Rahman (Afghanistan), Sam Hain (England), Joe Root (England), Dinesh Karthik (India), Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Van Buuren, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Andile Phehlukwayo, Codi Yusuf, John Turner (England), Dayyaan Galiem, Jacob Bethell (England).

Sunrisers Eastern Cape:
Aiden Markram, Zak Crawley (England), Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands), Liam Dawson (England), Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Caleb Seleka, Tristan Stubbs, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton (England), Tom Abell (England), Simon Harmer, Andile Simelane, David Bedingham.