CPL 2024 – St Lucia Kings sign Heinrich Klaasen and Noor Ahmad

St Lucia Kings have signed South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen and Afghan wrist spinner Noor Ahmad for the 2024 edition of the Caribbean Premier League 2024, ahead of the player draft.

Faf du Plessis, whose spell at Kings was cut short last year due to injury, has been retained. Namibian all-rounder David Wiese and Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa are also among the overseas players.

Kings have 12 players confirmed for the season and have five spots to fill at the draft in July. They have retained the core of Caribbean players including Johnson Charles, Alzarri Joseph, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde and Khary Pierre. Fast bowlers Shadrack Descarte and McKenny Clarke round out their retention. Colin Munro, who was named Du Plessis’s replacement last year, has been released, as have Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Chris Sole.

Klaasen has been in phenomenal form in T20s since 2023. He finished as the second-highest run-getter in the SA20 earlier this year and was also in top form in the IPL with 479 runs in 16 matches. His strike rate in the format since 2023 is 176.80. This will be Klaasen’s second stint in the CPL after representing Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2022, where he scored 118 runs in five matches.

Kings earned their fourth straight playoff berth in 2023, but lost in the Eliminator to Jamaica Tallawahs.

The 2024 edition of the CPL runs from August 30 to October 7. Kings open their campaign against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on September 1 in Basseterre.