CPL 2021: Barbados Tridents Full Squad
Barbados Tridents roped in 9 players in the CPL 2021 draft to finish their squad of 16. Each team is allowed to pick a maximum of 17 players including a maximum of 5 overseas cricketers. Tridents retained as many as 8 players going in to the draft after dropping out spinners Rashid Khan and Mitchell Santner from the team.
Barbados Tridents brought in Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris and Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera to boost their already strengthened all-round pack which has the likes of Jason Holder.
The tridents brought in Mohammad Amir and Azam Khan as the overseas players from Pakistan. Amir gets to feature in his first ever CPL tournament alongside Azam Khan, who made huge strides in franchise T20 cricket recently. Azam Khan is the son of former Pakistan wicket-keeper Moin Khan. Azam recently earned a call to Pakistan squad.
The fifth and final overseas sign up by Barbados Tridents is Shafiqullah Ghafari. The 19-year-old Afghanistan cricketer has featured in just 13 T20 matches scoring 113 runs and picked 2 wickets. He is a right handed batsman who can bowl leg spin.
Ashley Nurse who was not retained in the initial list was brought back during the draft. The franchise also added Oshane Thomas to bolster their pace attack. Thomas played for the Tallawahs last season. The 24-year-old pacer picked 56 wickets in 42 T20 matches at an average of 23.26. He is usually under the scanner for his high economy rate of 9.17.
Barbados Tridents also got in the Indian origin cricketer Smit Patel in their line up. Smit Patel featured in India U-19 team which won the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2012. He remained unbeaten on 62 which helped India clinch the trophy that year under the leadership of Unmukt Chand. The wicket-keeper batsman has shifted to USA and will be considered as a local player. Patel scored 708 runs in 28 T20 matches at an average of 30.78 in his career. The 28-year-old last featured in a domestic cricket match in India in February 2021.
The tournament gets away from August 28 after a busy season for the West Indies at home with series lined up against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan. The CPL 2021 final is scheduled to place on September 19.
Barbados Tridents Squad:
Jason Holder,Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Oshane Thomas, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr, Raymon Reifer, Justin Greaves, Ashley Nurse, Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop, Smit Patel
Overseas Players: Chris Morris, Thisara Perera, Mohammad Amir, Azam Khan, Shafiqullah Ghafari
My dream team will feature Marcus Trescothick and Anil Kumble