The Lanka Premier League will have its player draft on October 19 and the first match on November 21.
Earlier, it had been reported that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has rescheduled the Lanka Premier League from November 14 to November 21. With that, the player draft will be staged next week, making the league a step closer from happening.
Five teams are set to take part in 23 matches between November 21 and December 13. The player draft is now due on October 19 after having been moved twice by the organisers. The said player draft will feature 75 overseas players that will line up for the five franchises.
Innovative Production Group (IPG) chief executive of rights holder Anil Mohan, ‘LPL gives us an opportunity to provide the cricket-loving nation a T20 extravaganza to look forward to. Sri Lankan cricket fans are extremely passionate about the game, and it gives me tremendous joy and happiness that IPG got the mandate to conduct the League here’.
‘The Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) board has been extremely helpful and I look forward to their unending co-operation and support to make this League a grand success. We are committed to create a world-class league with LPL’, he added.
To that, SLC vice-president Ravin Wickramaratne added, ‘The tournament will not only create a platform for local players to develop their skills by playing alongside world-class players but will also provide an opportunity for Sri Lankan cricket fans to watch a quality cricket tournament’.
Sri Lanka will continue to hold a 14-day quarantine period for foreign cricket players and tournament staff. Wickramaratne also said that a lot of players still showed their interest despite the quarantine protocols. He also stated that they are hoping that some players who are currently playing in the IPL will fly towards Sri Lanka for the LPL after the former has concluded.
The tournament will be held in Pallekele and Hambantota to simplify the need for a biosecure bubble. To know more about why sports leagues are important, visit Betwala.
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