Asif Ali Joins Mississauga Masters for Canada Super 60

Pakistani power-hitter Asif Ali has been enlisted by Mississauga Masters for the forthcoming Canada Super 60, which is set to be held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver from October 8 to 13.

The franchise verified the acquisition through their official social media platform, stating: “Big shots. Big moments. Big impact. Pakistan’s power-hitter Asif Ali joins the Mississauga Masters for Canada Super 60.”

Ali’s inclusion marks him as the fourth Pakistani cricketer to participate in the competition.

Experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik, emerging batter Khawaja Nafay, and former spinner Saeed Ajmal are also slated to take part in the event. Ajmal will team up with Ali in the Mississauga squad, while Malik and Nafay are scheduled to represent Whiterock Warriors.

The 33-year-old is well-acquainted with franchise cricket, boasting extensive experience in prominent leagues such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lanka Premier League (LPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and the Mzansi Super League (MSL).

In the PSL, Ali has participated in 91 matches, amassing 1,243 runs at a striking strike rate of 156.94, including three half-centuries. On the international stage, he has represented Pakistan in 58 T20Is, accumulating 577 runs at an average of 15.18 and a strike rate of 133.87.

Malik, a former Pakistan captain, brings a wealth of experience to the Super 60. The 42-year-old has tallied 13,571 runs in 557 T20 matches, striking at 127.24, with 83 half-centuries, positioning him as the fifth-highest run-scorer in T20 history.

Nafay, an up-and-coming batting prospect, has already gained exposure in major leagues. In the BPL, he scored 214 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 135.44, accompanied by three half-centuries.

He also has 234 runs in 12 PSL games, highlighted by two fifties. Recently, he played for Pakistan Shaheens in the Top End T20 Series, where he recorded a 61-run innings against Bangladesh ‘A’.

Ajmal, recognized as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished T20 bowlers, enhances Mississauga’s bowling attack with his expertise. He secured 85 wickets in 64 T20Is for Pakistan with an exceptional economy rate of 6.36.

In franchise cricket, he has featured in the PSL (10 matches, 9 wickets), BPL (5 matches, 4 wickets), and briefly appeared in the BBL with Adelaide Strikers (1 match, 1 wicket).

Updated Mississauga Masters squad for Canada Super 60:

Sikandar Raza, Imran Tahir, Ravi Bopara, George Carton, Leus Du Plooy, Asif Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Shubham Ranjane, Rushil Ugarkar, Ali Khan, Hamza Tariq, Rayyan Pathan, Zahid Shirzad, Dilraj Doel, Ali Khan.