Mzansi Super League 2018: Durban Heat - 5 stars to keep an eye out for

The inaugural edition of the Mzansi Super League is about to get underway on the 16th of November, 2018. Piping itself as South Africa's premier T20 tournament, stars from around the globe are going to be present in the league. A total of 6 teams will play each other twice in the round robin format (home and away) followed by the top 4 competing in the play offs to reach the final. Prize money of R 7 million has been declared by Cricket South Africa for the winning team of the tournament.

Durban Heat is one team that is strongly contending to win the trophy. It has hard-hitting batsmen, all-rounders and world-class t20 bowlers.

International players like Morne van Wyk, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma and Khaya Zondo form a part of the Durban Heat set up. While there is no doubt of the abilities of these players and the crucial role they will play for the team, there are 5 other stars as well who are expected to shine for the Durban Heat.

Here's a look at five star players of Durban Heat to watch out for in the Mzansi Super League :

#1 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

Currently ranked as the number one bowler in T20s, Rashid Khan was picked by Durban Heat as their International Marquee player. With his phenomenal record in T20s and South Africa's poor performance against wrist spin earlier this year, Rashid is sure to set the tournament on fire.

He is one bowler who can turn the game on its head by his extravagant spin bowling, one of the very few players in the world who can actually win the game with the bowl rather than the bat, even on flat, batting friendly wickets. His performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL have proved that. Rashid Khan is also touted to be a major reason for gathering fan base for Durban Heat.

#2 Albie Morkel

Albie Morkel

One of the most experienced T20 pros, Albie Morkel has been named as the captain of Durban Heat. His hard-hitting batting lower down the order and seam bowling in South African conditions make him a really valuable asset to have for any team in T20s.

Albie also brings in the learning and experience of playing under MS Dhoni in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. T20 is all about handling pressure and there is no better school to learn that than the CSK dugout under the leadership of Dhoni. Albie has single-handedly won matches with the bat that have almost seemingly been lost by his team by slogging sixes all around the park.

Although he hasn't been seen in South African colours off late, there is no doubt that Albie Morkel, as a package, is a huge asset for Durban Heat.

#3 David Miller

David Miller

Famously touted as 'Miller the killer', David Miller is arguably the most destructive T20 batsman in the world. After scoring a daddy hundred in a winning cause against the Australians and amassing runs for South Africa away, David Miller is all set to turn on the heat for Durban Heat.

David Miller is a player who feasts on sixes and undoubtedly T20 is his favourite format, for it gives him license to go all-in. He is arguably at the peak of his career as well as batting form, and is one of the best hard-hitting batsmen in the game, waiting to turn on the heat for Durban. Thus, it is no surprise that he was the most expensive buy for Durban Heat at the auction, being purchased for a humongous R 1000000.

Durban Heat has plenty of hopes from the 29 year old who is looking to make a mark in South Africa's premier T20 tournament.

#4 Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla

Although the word 'Hashim Amla' with 'T20s' almost don't sound synonymous, the mighty Hash is a really important player for Durban Heat. With hard-hitting players like David Miller, Albie Morkel, Heinrich Klassen and Temba Bavuma forming a part of their batting order, Durban needs a stabilizer to hold their batting together.

And who else is better for that role, than the great Hashim Amla. Amla is a player not short of experience, and although he is not known for hitting huge 6s, he can score the runs in fours by playing classic shots. Amla has scored runs in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab batting at the top of the order, and for a team like Durban Heat who need a solid top order batsmen, Hashim Amla seems to be a perfect fit for the team.

5. Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen

South Africa's latest T20 batting sensation, Heinrich Klaasen, was bought for a humongous R 900000 by Durban Heat. He was the second most expensive player bought by Durban Heat, only after David Miller. Having played for South Africa in the middle order for a considerable amount of time, the 27-year-old Heinrich Klaasen has immensely grown in confidence.

With players like David Miller, Hashim Amla, Khaya Zondo and Temba Bavuma already playing alongside him, Klaasen has full license to express himself freely and play cricket the way he knows best - by dominating the bowlers by hitting big sixes.

He showed glimpses of what he can do when India toured South Africa and has a terrific domestic record. He is touted to be the next big thing in South African cricket and is certainly a player to watch out for in Durban Heat.