'They are box-office': Peterson hails MI Cape Town's explosive Caribbean signings

If there was any doubt about MI Cape Town's ambitions to reclaim the Betway SA20 title in Season 5, their recruitment of two of the Caribbean's most destructive batters should put those questions to rest.

The acquisition of Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer is not simply about adding star power. Both have built reputations as elite finishers and middle-order destroyers across the global T20 circuit, capable of turning a contest on its head with a barrage of sixes, and according to MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson, the numbers speak for themselves.

"Well, the one has over 10 000 runs in T20 cricket, and the other has over 8 000 runs. They are box-office," Peterson said at the recent Season 5 Player Auction.

Pooran provided a glimpse of his power-hitting for MI Cape Town last season when he thrilled the Newlands patrons with a 15-ball 33, which included five towering sixes, against Joburg Super Kings. His three maximums in one Richard Gleeson over was particularly explosive.

Hetmeyer possesses similar power as he illustrated just a few days ago when he blasted 43 off just 26 balls (6x4, 2x6) for the West Indies against India in the third T20I at Indore.

For Peterson and MI Cape Town, the appeal extends beyond boundary-hitting, with Pooran and Hetmyer bringing not only firepower but also vast experience from franchise leagues around the world.

Pooran, particularly, is a serial winner with the MI franchise having enjoyed success in both the US and Emirates, and it's this disposition that Peterson hopes can  rub off on the rest of the MI Cape Town squad. 

"I'm looking forward to them dovetailing, because when they get going, they tend to drive their team to success," he said. "They are both championship players and have a winning mentality."

MI Cape Town opens their Season 5 campaign with the ‘El Clasico’ derby against Joburg Super Kings at Newlands on 20 January, 2027.