The GT20 Canada 2024 season features 24 prominent cricketers from eight ICC Associate member nations, offering them a premier platform to showcase their talents in North America's marquee T20 cricket league. Players hail from Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Scotland, UAE, USA, Italy, and Malaysia, each contributing to the diverse talent pool.
Among the notable players are former Namibian all-rounder David Wiese, now representing Bangla Tigers Mississauga, and Gerhard Erasmus, Namibia's captain during the recent T20 World Cup, playing for Montreal Tigers. GT20 Canada's founder, Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah, highlighted that the league serves not only as a cricket competition but also as a platform that nurtures the sport's growth in Canada. He highlighted the league's role in offering Associate nation players a chance to display their skills and inspire global audiences with their passion.
Dutch veterans Paul van Meekeren and Logan van Beek are playing for Vancouver Knights and Surrey Jaguars, respectively. Scotland's George Munsey, known for his innovative batting techniques, is part of the Brampton Wolves, while Brandon McMullen, who impressed against Australia recently, joins the Surrey Jaguars.
Sandeep Lamichhane of the Vancouver Knights, reflecting on the league's growth, remarked that GT20 Canada provides a crucial opportunity for players from Associate nations to compete in franchise leagues and learn from international stars, benefiting both individual players and the sport in their home countries.
The league also features Malaysia's captain Virandeep Singh (Surrey Jaguars) and Italy's all-rounder Ben Manenti (Montreal Tigers), both participating in this year's edition from July 25 to August 11 in Brampton, Ontario. Manenti expressed excitement about joining the league, noting the high quality of overseas players and the enthusiasm for cricket in Toronto.
Nepali players Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee are playing for Toronto Nationals and Vancouver Knights, respectively, following their performances on the world stage in the West Indies. The UAE is represented by a sizable contingent, including young spinner Aayan Afzal Khan, known for his match-winning performance against New Zealand in Dubai.
Additionally, Andries Gous (Toronto Nationals) and Harmeet Singh Baddhan (Surrey Jaguars), who represented the USA during the T20 World Cup, are also competing in the league, further showcasing the international flavour and competitive spirit of GT20 Canada 2024.