It’s Pakistan versus India once again

LONDON: It may be surprising for many of the fans that Pakistan are all set to face India so soon following an epic encounter between the arch rivals at the grand stage of ICC Champions trophy.

But this time, they will not meet in an international match but they will face off each other in Cricket South Africa’s Global T20 league (A privately owned eight teams T20 league).

Not long ago, reports emerged Shahrukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar had suggested organizing a match between Pakistan Super League (PSL) champion Peshawar Zalmi and his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at a neutral venue. However, the reports were rejected by both parties.

But now this is about to become reality once again as Javed Afridi’s latest franchise Benoni will face Shahrukh Khan’s Cape Town in the South Africa’s Global T20 league.

This could be another epic encounter for the fans in Pakistan and India.

Earlier, Javed Afridi, owner of Peshawar Zalmi, announced that the Zalmi philosophy will now extend to the South African Global T20 League as ‘Benoni Zalmi’.

“It is an honour for us to represent Benoni, we may be the champions in Pakistan but there is a bigger message we would like to give to the world. Don’t lose your youthfulness, never lose your passion, in cricket and in life,” the franchise said quoting Javed Afridi.

For Javed Afridi, Benoni, a city on the East Rand in the South African province of Gauteng which this team will represent, encapsulates the essence of ‘Zalmi’.

Last year the Peshawar Zalmi team showed the world that they were a force to be reckoned with when they became champions in the 2017 Pakistan Super League. Their victory was hailed throughout Pakistan as they rose through the ranks to prove their mettle.