In a significant boost ahead of the SA20 2025 season, MI Cape Town have announced the signing of England's Test captain Ben Stokes and Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. The franchise, which struggled in the previous editions of the tournament, have made these key acquisitions to strengthen their lineup as they aim for a much-improved performance in the upcoming season.

Stokes and Omarzai will join an already formidable roster that includes pre-signed overseas stars Rashid Khan and Trent Boult, as well as retained players Nuwan Thushara and Chris Benjamin. MI Cape Town's domestic talent is equally impressive, featuring the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, and George Linde.

For Ben Stokes, this marks a rare foray into franchise T20 cricket after a period of limited appearances due to injuries. His last significant stint in a franchise league was with the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, where he was restricted to just two matches due to a knee condition. Stokes has been out of action recently due to a hamstring tear sustained during The Hundred but is expected to return to fitness in time for England's Test series against Pakistan in October.

Stokes' inclusion in the MI Cape Town squad adds to the growing trend of English red-ball stars participating in SA20 2025. He joins Joe Root (Paarl Royals), Ollie Pope (Pretoria Capitals), Jonny Bairstow (Joburg Super Kings), and Zak Crawley (Sunrisers Eastern Cape) as high-profile English signings in the tournament. This influx of top Test players comes after their availability was limited in the previous season due to international commitments.