MI Cape Town coach Robin Petersen believes captain Rashid Khan will bring “a winner’s mentality” to the Newlands-based franchise for SA20 Season 3.
Rashid led MI Cape Town in the inaugural season, but missed Season 2 due to injury.
Kieron Pollard led MI Cape Town in Rashid’s absence, but the West Indies all-rounder will not return to Newlands next season.
“Massive thrill to have him back as our captain and one of our leaders,” Peterson exclusively told Independent Media Sport yesterday.
“He is a box-office cricketer. We thoroughly enjoyed working with him in the first season.
“He missed out last season through injury, but his experience and mindset that he brings to the team... He brings a winner’s mentality, and he is a fantastic cricketer.
“The guys will support him thoroughly, as they did in Season 1.”
Rashid is, of course, an experienced international captain, having led Afghanistan in 29 T20Is.
He was instrumental in leading the Afghans to a first-ever ICC T20 World Cup semi-final against the Proteas in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year.
Peterson and Rashid have also tasted success before with MI New York, when they won the Major League Cricket tournament together two years back.
“I’ve worked with him in the Major League and actually seen how since his taken over the Afghanistan team. He is really been inspirational, and how he gets the dressing-room going,” Peterson said.
“Everyone is excited to have him in Cape Town, and looking forward to working with him this season.”
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MI Cape Town are seeking redemption in Season 3 after missing out on the playoffs in both previous Betway SA20 seasons.
The Newlands-based team have made significant changes to the squad in a bid to averse this situation, with England captain Ben Stokes being added to the roster.
Premier New Zealand swing bowler Trent Boult will also be reunited with Kagiso Rabada, after the pair bowled MI New York to the inaugural Major League Cricket championship title in the US.
Rashid’s Afghanistan teammate Azmatullah Omarzai has also joined the MI Cape Town stable for Season 3.
MI Cape Town begin their campaign next year in the competition opener against double defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on January 9. | Independent Media Sport