Source: Barbados Today
It was announced on Monday that a new cricket tournament will launch in Guyana. The Global Super League (GSL) will run from November 26 to December 7, 2024, with five teams competing for US$1 million. The event will feature the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Sanctioned by Cricket West Indies and fully supported by the government of Guyana, this will be South America’s first standalone cricket event.
The event will reportedly feature Hampshire, the three-time champions of England’s T20 Blast; The Titans from South Africa; and Bangladesh’s Rangpur Riders. None of the four teams is currently the champion of their domestic league.
Sources indicated that Fortune Barishal, the current Bangladesh champion, was offered a spot in the GSL but declined. Whilst there is speculation that the last team will be from Australia, the GSL ends the week before Australia’s Big Bash League gets underway.
The Global Super League will also clash with the Abu Dhabi T10, slated to be held from November 21 to December 2, and with Bangladesh’s tour of the Caribbean, although that series begins with the Tests from November 22 to December 4, followed by the ODI series, December 8-12, and the T20I series, December 16-20.
The competition is expected to comprise a mini league of 11 matches, with each team playing four matches and the top two teams progressing to the final. All matches will take place at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. The event is set to take place annually, with different teams from around the world being invited to take part each season.
“The Global Super League has the full support of the Government of Guyana as we build a world-class sports tourism product,” said President Irfan Ali. “Cricket is part of our cultural history; it is that unifying force, part of our heritage and an integral part of our strategic objective in economic diversification with a strong emphasis on tourism.
“As Guyana positions itself as a global shaper in the energy, food and climate landscape, we will use this platform to bring a world-class tournament to our shores.
“I’d like to welcome cricket fans from around the world to this exciting new event,” added GSL chairman Clive Lloyd. “The passion for cricket in Guyana rivals that of fans anywhere, and we look forward to celebrating our love of the game and our vibrant country with both those visiting in person and watching from around the world. I would like to thank His Excellency Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali for his vision of a new cricket event for Guyana, one that will captivate the world.”