With the much-anticipated Lanka T10 Super League 2024 in full swing, Jaffna Titans’ all-rounder David Wiese voiced his belief this week that the T10 format serves as a crucial tool for players wanting to hone their skills.

Wiese said: "In any format, particularly in T10, bowlers face a very slim margin for error. It's vital to master your skills as any misstep can be costly. T10 absolutely aids players in honing their abilities."

He went on to say that there is “certainly a space for T10, especially in terms of reaching emerging markets. It represents a fantastic opportunity to expand cricket’s footprint in those regions.

“However, I must say that as the game shortens, it can sometimes lead to one-side affairs, where a single player can swing the tide of the match," he noted.

He did say that despite the excitement of T10s, he believes there is a distinct value in longer formats.

“They reflect the essence of the game, and I trust players will continue to prioritize formats like T20s, ODIs, and Tests. However, it’s undeniable that T10 is catching on swiftly," he said.

Wiese also expressed his joy at participating in the tournament and commended fans in Sri Lanka for their enthusiasm.

"It's incredible to be back in Sri Lanka. The tournament's successful start is encouraging, and the turnout has been impressive.”

Sri Lanka is the latest country to launch a T10 league, having witnessed the growing popularity of the event around the world.

Earlier this month, the Abu Dhabi T10 League wrapped up its 8th season.

As with other T10 leagues, the fast-paced tournament brought together some of the big names in international cricket.

Lanka T10 is no different, and for its launch event teams snapped up seven Afghan players.

They feature in four teams.

Najibullah Zadran is playing for Colombo Jaguars; and left-arm spinner Hamza Hotak is in Kandy Bolts’ lineup.

Nuwara Eliya Kings snapped up two Afghans, Zubaid Akbari; and right-arm pacer Aftab Alam.

Hambantota Banga Tigers in turn have three players from Afghanistan in their squad.

They are Hazratullah Zazai, who famously hit 162 off 62 balls, the highest in a T20I, in Dehradun in February 2019 against Ireland; Karim Janat, the younger brother of Asghar Afghan; and one of the country’s most celebrated batsmen, Mohammad Shahzad.

Lanka T10 Watch Live

Cricket fans across the country can tune in to Ariana Television from 2pm Friday, December 13, to watch the event live.

The league will wrap up on December 19.

Zimbabwe on Wednesday trumped Afghanistan by 4 wickets in the first of three T20Is - in a match that was however historical for Mohammad Nabi. It was his 300th appearance in international cricket.

The 39-year-old Afghanistan National Cricket Team all-rounder achieved this special triple century feat to become the only Afghan cricketer to do so.

Nabi’s milestone comes after he made his debut on April 19, 2009 and on Wednesday he made sure his 300th international match was a memorable one as he played a sensational knock with the bat.

He scored 44 runs off 27 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six, to help his team register a decent total of 144/6 on the board.

During his innings on Wednesday, Nabi also unlocked a major milestone as he completed 150 fours in his history of T20I cricket.

Nabi made his Test debut in June 2018 against India and has played 3 matches, scoring 33 runs at an average of 5.50 and picking 8 wickets at an average of 31.75, an economy of 2.79 and a strike rate of 68.2.

In ODIs, he made his debut in April 2009 against Scotland and has featured in 167 matches so far. He has scored 3,600 runs at an average of 27.48 and picked up 172 wickets at an average of 32.47, an economy of 4.27 and a strike rate of 45.5.

Cricket Addictor reports that in T20Is, he has played 130 matches and scored 2,209 runs at an average of 22.54 after making his debut in February 2010 against Ireland.

With the ball, he has bagged 97 wickets at an average of 28.01, an economy of 7.33, and a strike rate of 22.9.

Wednesday’s outcome in Harare meanwhile was only the second time Afghanistan has lost to Zimbabwe.

Speaking after the match, skipper Rashid Khan said that their mindset was to go on the field and put a good total on the board but that they were about 15 or so runs shy of this.

Afghanistan’s 2nd T20I will be played on Friday at the same venue.

The squad is as follows:

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad Malik

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Dion Myers, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza(ci), Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu

Lanka T10 Super League is finally underway with the first match of the inaugural event taking place Wednesday, December 11, between Hambantota Bangla Tigers and Jaffna Titans.

On the field for the Tigers are three Afghans - Hazratullah Zazai, Karim Janat, and Mohammad Shahzad.  

This exciting tournament will consist of six teams. Three matches are scheduled each day, with the final on December 19. 

For fans who want to watch the tournament, be sure to tune in to Ariana Television every afternoon from 3pm, as all matches will be broadcast live in Afghanistan. 

Day 1 schedule will see Jaffna Titans face Hambantota Bangla Tigers in the first match; Nuwara Eliya Kings will then take on Colombo Jaguars; and the final match of the day will see Kandy Bolts face Galle Marvels.

Nuwara Eliya Kings have two Afghans in their squad - Zubaid Akbari; and right-arm pacer Aftab Alam; while Colombo Jaguars has 

Najibullah Zadran in their team; and Kandy Bolts has left-arm spinner Hamza Hotak.

A total of 25 matches will be played in the tournament over the course of 9 days and 21 group stage matches will be followed by the Qualifier 1, Eliminator and the Qualifier 2 match.

The teams participating in Lanka T10 League are Colombo Jaguars, Hambantota Bangla Tigers, Galle Marvels, Kandy Bolts, Jaffna Titans and Nuwara Eliya Kings.

The teams will play a total of 7 league matches each and the top 4 will proceed for the Playoffs. The top 2 teams will play in the Qualifier 1; the winner of this game will go on to play in Finals. 

The loser will get another chance. The 3rd and 4th placed teams will square off in the Eliminator match to be played on the 18th of December. 

The team that wins the Eliminator will play against the loser of the Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 match. The winner of Qualifier 2 will play against the winner of Qualifier 1 in the Finals on 19th of December.

For fans across Afghanistan, be sure to tune in to Ariana Television every afternoon to watch this thrilling cricket extravaganza.