Why did Shamsi withdraw from SA20?
Shamsi withdraws due to personal reasons
South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has opted out of the upcoming SA20 season due to personal reasons. The MI Cape Town wrist spinner, who was set to make his first appearance for the franchise in the 2025 season, will now be replaced by all-rounder Thomas Kaber, another left-arm wrist spinner. So let’s know why Shamsi withdrew from SA20.
Strong spin and pace attack for MI Cape Town
Despite Shamsi’s absence, MI Cape Town still boasts a strong spin attack with Rashid Khan, George Linde and Dane Piedt available for the fourth season of SA20. Their pace battery includes star bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Corbin Bosch and Dwaine Pretorius, who provide balance to the side.
Kaber returns to MI Cape Town
Thomas Kaber returns to the team after representing MI Cape Town for the past two seasons. He played eight games in the 2023-2024 season and made one appearance in the 2024-2025 title-winning campaign. In total, Kaber has collected 10 wickets in seven bowling innings in SA20, an average of 16.60 with an economy of 8.05.
In the ongoing CSA T20 Challenge, he has taken seven wickets in six matches for the Warriors, maintaining an excellent economy rate of 6.31.
Shamsi was signed for R500,000
Shamsi was bought for R500,000 at the SA20 auction of September 2025. Before joining MI Cape Town, he represented Joburg Super Kings and Paarl Royals in the first two editions of the competition last season.
He currently plays for Northern Warriors in the Abu Dhabi T10. Earlier this year, he turned down a central contract for Cricket South Africa and was also left out of the ODI series against India. His last appearance for South Africa in T20Is came during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Also read: M Chinnaswamy Stadium first Test history
Season opener on December 26
Defending champions MI Cape Town open their SA20 2025 campaign against Durban’s Super Giants on December 26. Newlands ground, their home venue, will host both the opener and final on January 25.
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