In a major boost ahead of the SA20 2025 season, MI Cape Town has announced the signing of England’s Test captain Ben Stokes and Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. After underwhelming performances in previous tournament editions, the franchise has made these strategic additions to strengthen its squad and aim for a much better showing in the upcoming season.
Stokes and Omarzai will join a roster that already boasts top international talent, including Rashid Khan and Trent Boult, who were pre-signed as overseas stars. The franchise has retained key players such as Nuwan Thushara and Chris Benjamin. MI Cape Town’s domestic lineup remains equally strong, featuring South African stars Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, and George Linde.
This marks a rare appearance in franchise T20 cricket for Ben Stokes, as injuries have limited his participation in recent years. His last significant involvement in a franchise league was with the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, where a knee injury limited him to just two matches. Stokes has been out of action due to a hamstring tear sustained during The Hundred, but he is expected to be fit in time for England’s Test series against Pakistan in October. 
The Growing Influence of England’s Test Stars in SA20
Stokes’ inclusion in MI Cape Town’s squad reflects a growing trend of England’s red-ball stars making their way to the SA20 tournament. The upcoming season will see several high-profile English players in action, with Joe Root (Paarl Royals), Ollie Pope (Pretoria Capitals), Jonny Bairstow (Joburg Super Kings), and Zak Crawley (Sunrisers Eastern Cape) all securing spots with various franchises. This represents a notable shift from the previous season when these players’ availability was limited due to international commitments.
The signing of Stokes and Omarzai signals MI Cape Town’s intent to compete at a higher level in SA20 2025 as the franchise looks to bounce back from earlier disappointments. With a mix of seasoned internationals and strong domestic players, MI Cape Town hopes to challenge for the title and establish itself as one of the premier teams in the tournament. The arrival of big-name players like Stokes is also expected to boost the league’s overall profile, drawing greater attention to South Africa’s premier T20 competition.
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