In the initial phase of the league, all the teams will play against each other twice. After the round-robin stage, the top four teams will qualify for the playoff stage. A total of 33 matches will be played in the T20 league. Like the Indian Premier League, each team’s playing-11 in this tournament will include a maximum of four foreign players. Its auction date, match schedule and other details will be announced later.
The first season of the tournament will be played immediately after South Africa’s tour of Australia in January 2023. The first month of the year will become the window (scheduled time of the event) for the league. CSA CEO Foletsi Mosecki said that we are excited about this new initiative. It will also provide an opportunity for private investment through franchisees. Mosecki said that a sustainable trading system has been created for both the league and the teams, which will attract the best local and international players with a good amount of money.
A new company formed by CSA and broadcaster SuperSport will manage the tournament. CSA started the Manjasi T20 League in 2018. 8 teams were given a chance in the tournament and it lasted for 2 years. 2020, 2021 and 2022 could not be organized due to Covid-19. Due to dropping watch rate and pandemic hiatus, the tournament isn’t part of the course anymore. That is, now this old league is hardly played again.
“We are excited by the formation of something this fresh and invigorating, which also offers the opportunity for private investment into the franchises,” said Pholetsi Moseki, CSA CEO. “CSA has already received interest from a number of potential local and international investors.”
Players from all over the world can be seen playing in the new T20 league. But during this international series, players from many countries will withdraw their names. The PSL timeline will also clash with this league which will make it tough for the Pakistani players play in T20 leagues around the world.
Said Marc Jury, SuperSport CEO: “We are delighted to invest in a product that will change the face of South African cricket. There is an early-year gap in the calendar, so the timing is ideal.”