The 2024 edition of GT20 Canada is set to reignite cricket enthusiasm in North America, kicking off on July 25 in Brampton, Ontario, and concluding on August 11. Following the success of the ongoing global T-20 cricket event, the tournament aims to enhance the growth of cricket in North America by providing a platform for local and international players to display their talents in a competitive environment.
GT20 Canada has established itself as a key event on the Canadian, North American, and global cricket calendars. This year's tournament is especially significant, given Canada’s historic debut at the ICC T-20 World Cup and the outstanding performances by home-grown talent. The event will feature a star-studded lineup, including international cricket icons such as Australia's David Warner and Marcus Stoinis, Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, Caribbean standouts Sunil Narine and Carlos Brathwaite, Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, and Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi and Naveen ul Haq.
Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah, the driving force behind GT20 Canada, accentuated the league's impact on the development of cricket in Canada and North America. Canadian national team captain Saad Bin Zafar will participate, along with key players Nicholas Kirton and Aaron Johnson, who recently made history by scoring a half-century on New York's challenging pitch during the ICC T20 World Cup. Other notable participants include Andries Gous, the World Cup's highest run-scorer, and Harmeet Singh Baddhan, who played a crucial role in the United States' memorable ICC T20 World Cup campaign.
The GT20 Canada 2024 features six franchises, each carefully selecting six players from ICC full member nations and four from associate nations, creating strong teams and promoting cricket's growth in Canada. Each team will also include eight Canadian players to foster home-grown talent.
The Brampton Wolves have secured explosive Australian opener David Warner, while the Toronto Nationals will benefit from the experience of Shahid Afridi and West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd. The Vancouver Knights have signed prolific Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, along with Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Rizwan. The Surrey Jaguars have added Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and mystery spinner Sunil Narine to their lineup.
The Bangla Tigers Mississauga will rely on Shakib Al Hasan, supported by Afghan talents Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai. Defending champions Montréal Tigers have strengthened their squad with Afghan sensation Naveen-ul-Haq, explosive batsman Chris Lynn, and all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford.