HAMILTON Masakadza topped Zimbabwean money list when he was bought for $19 777 for the upcoming Afghanistan T20 franchise cricket league set to take place in July. 

The Chevrons top order batsman was snapped up by Al-Masafi Amo Sharks at an auction conducted in the Asian country on Thursday. 

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams, Solomon Mire and Sikandar Raza Butt were also involved in the auction. The trio fetched approximately $10 000 each.

The big hitting Mire will feature for Kabul Eagles which is led by Afghanistan’s national team skipper Asghar Stanikzai while Williams will play for Muslimyar Speenghar Tigers.

Raza, who was part of the inaugural edition last year, is returning to the stage but this time wearing Warzizai Mess Ainak Knights colours.

The 10-day event dubbed the Shpageeza Cricket League is a prelude to the Afghanistan Premier League which is expected to be held next year. 

Afghanistan batsman Gulbadin Naib was the most expensive player at Thursday''s auction after he was bought for a whopping $108 403 by Arif Azeem Boos Defenders.

Pakistani pace duo Rumman Raees and Sohail Tanvir come second in the list. Both of them received $105,519. 

The auction for the league was conducted comprising international cricketers from Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Many foreign stars will be playing the tournament this year. 

Notable amongst them are Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Pakistan’s Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Rumman Raees, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan and West Indies’ Riyad Emrit.

Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Shafiq Stanikzai said they are geared up to host their IPL-style T20 league and are looking to strengthen the security to allay safety fears.

“The auction saw some of the big names going under the hammer. We have made it a point to provide highest security to the cricketers. 

“We are taking every initiative to make the event a grand success,” he said. The tournament will run from July 18 to July 28 at the National Stadium in Kabul.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket have named a 15-man squad for the limited-overs series away to Scotland, the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

Led by captain Graeme Cremer, Zimbabwe will visit Scotland first for two one-day international matches on June 15-17 before going to the Netherlands for three other 50-over matches scheduled for the June 21, and 25.

After the European series, Zimbabwe will then proceed to Sri Lanka for five ODIs and one Test match.

Zimbabwe ODI Squad for Scotland, Netherlands & Sri Lanka 2017:

Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza Butt, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine,

Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor, Christopher Mpofu, Tarisai Musakanda, Richard

Ngarava, Donald Tiripano, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.