5 all-rounders to watch out for at Global T20 Canada 2024 ft. Marcus Stoinis
The fourth edition of Global T20 Canada started on Thursday, July 25, at TD Cricket Arena in Brampton, Ontario. There are six teams this season — Montreal Tigers, Surrey Jaguars, Vancouver Knights, Brampton Wolves, Toronto Nationals, and newcomers Bangla Tigers Mississauga.
A total of 25 matches will be played over the next two and a half weeks. As per the schedule, each team will play seven round-robin matches, with the top four teams making it to the knockout stage.
Several T20 superstars from across the globe will be taking part in the league this year. The league stage ends on August 6, which will be followed by the playoffs, including the eliminator, two qualifiers, and the final.
5 all-rounders to watch out for at Global T20 Canada 2024
#5 Dwaine Pretorius
The South Africa all-rounder was a late bloomer but soon made a mark for his side in the shortest format. A powerful hitter of the ball who could bat in multiple positions, Dwaine Pretorius also worked hard on his variations with the ball. These traits made him one of the most sought-after all-rounders in T20 cricket across the globe.
In the 2021 T20 World Cup, he finished with nine wickets and had the best strike rate of 9.7 among bowlers who had bowled at least five overs. Pretorius quit international cricket in 2023 and started playing in different T20 leagues across the world. He will play for the Vancouver Knights this season and will be a key player for the side since he will add balance and power to the side.
#4 Mohammad Nawaz
Not long ago, Mohammad Nawaz was one of the leading all-rounders for Pakistan in T20 cricket. However, an average 2022 T20 World Cup and a poor 2023 Cricket World Cup saw him lose his confidence and it has been a downhill journey since then.
He is now out of favor with the national selectors and thus, the Global T20 Canada League will be important for the left-arm all-rounder. He will feature for the Toronto Nationals and is expected to play an important role for the side.
His style of play is suited perfectly to the shortest format. He bowls accurate left-arm spin and is a handy hitter lower down the order. His record is decent — 50 wickets in 60 matches and 477 runs at a strike rate of 134.
#3 Romario Shepherd
Romario Shepherd lit up the IPL this season when he smashed 32 runs off an Anrich Nortje over. He has improved his hitting and has also started using different angles at the crease to bowl his quota of four overs.
He will add a lot of strength to the Toronto Nationals team this season and much will be expected from him after a below-par performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He has been working a lot on his bowling, but it remains one of the worries for him. However, he can be a good asset to have, especially in the death overs when he looks to go full and target the stumps.
Shepherd has taken several positive steps to improve his game and this season in Canada could well define his future prospects.
#2 Shakib Al Hasan
One of Bangladesh’s greatest all-rounders, Shakib al Hasan will be featuring for the Bangla Tigers Mississauga this year. The Tigers had a poor outing last year and have snapped up a number of match-winners in their squad this time.
Shakib did not have the best T20 World Cup last month, but there is little doubt over his class and pedigree. He will bowl his four overs and will, more often than not, bat in the top four. His presence will add a lot of balance to the Tigers. He will also captain the side and thus, will be under the scanner.
#1 Marcus Stoinis
One of the most in-form players in the world, Marcus Stoinis has been on song in the ongoing Major League Cricket in the USA. He has been in prolific form with the bat and ball for the Texas Super Kings, continuing his rich form from the IPL and the T20 World Cup.
He will feature for the Surrey Jaguars this year and is one of the most high-profile signings in the GT20 League. He slammed a ton for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and then continued his fine run in the World Cup where he looked measured in tricky situations for Australia. Considering his pedigree and years of experience, he could be one of the biggest match-winners for Surrey Jaguars this year.