Chicago Kingsmen to Compete in Top End T20 Series

The Chicago Kingsmen, a leading T20 franchise in the United States known for their consistent performance, are preparing to journey over 15,000 kilometers to Darwin for the Top End T20 Series.

This year’s tournament is slated to take place from August 14 to 24, featuring the Pakistan Shaheens in the opening match against Bangladesh ‘A’ at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

As the current champions of the 2024 Minor League Cricket (MiLC), the Kingsmen’s participation underscores the increasing international profile of the Top End T20 Series.

Renowned for their strength in American domestic cricket, the Kingsmen will bring significant talent and global experience to Australia’s Northern Territory.

The team’s roster includes several Pakistani players, such as Hammad Azam, Zia-ul-Haq, Hassan Khan, and Asif Mahmood, among others.

MiLC serves as a developmental platform for Major League Cricket (MLC) and has become a crucial element of U.S. cricket. Backed by over AU$174 million in investments, MLC has rapidly become a top-tier T20 league worldwide.

The league, hosted across Florida, California, and Texas, showcases international stars like Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and David Warner, along with celebrated coaches such as Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson.

The inclusion of the Kingsmen, often called ‘America’s Team,’ in the Top End T20 Series represents a key achievement for both the tournament and the Northern Territory’s objective to foster economic, tourism, and diplomatic advancement via cricket.

The squad will feature Hassan Khan, an uncapped USA all-rounder recently recruited by the Melbourne Renegades for BBL15, in addition to former international players Hammad Azam (Pakistan) and Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka).

The team’s coach is Grant Bradburn, a former New Zealand Test cricketer with previous head coaching experience for Scotland and Pakistan.

NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey voiced his enthusiasm regarding the participation of an American T20 franchise in the Top End T20 Series, noting the rapid expansion of cricket in the United States and the global potential of the Northern Territory’s cricket platform.

Statements from NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey:
  • “The expansion of cricket in the U.S. over the last few years has been considerable — from sold-out T20 World Cup games in New York to cricket’s return to the Olympics in LA28. It’s a developing market that is attracting significant attention.”
  • “Major League Cricket’s investors include a major media group in India, the CEO of Microsoft, and the former CEO of Adobe, indicating that English cricket now faces substantial franchise competition during the summer.”
  • “The Kingsmen have been at the forefront of the American cricket evolution, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Northern Territory.”
  • “The Top End T20 Series was designed to promote the Northern Territory to a global audience, and the presence of a U.S. franchise further illustrates the strength and reach of our winter cricket opportunity.”
Kingsmen Head Coach Grant Bradburn’s Perspective:

Kingsmen Head Coach Grant Bradburn highlighted the broader objectives of the upcoming tour, emphasizing both player development and global representation.

  • “We’re approaching this tour with the mindset of expansion — enhancing our skills and solidifying our identity as a team. As America’s most successful T20 franchise, the Kingsmen are prepared to showcase the talent and professionalism that are driving cricket forward in the U.S.”
  • “My focus is on enabling our players to perform effectively under varying pressures, in different environments, and against unfamiliar opponents. This experience accelerates growth, and our team is prepared to embrace this challenge.”

The complete schedule for the 2025 Top End T20 Series and the final list of participating teams will be announced soon.

Confirmed Teams for 2025 Top End T20 Series:
  • Pakistan Shaheens
  • Bangladesh ‘A’
  • Chicago Kingsmen