By A Special Correspondent
COLOMBO – The inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set to begin on Thursday (26) in a bio-secure bubble at Hambantota despite some players being infected with COVID-19 and withdrawal of two of the biggest stars in T20 cricket – Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga.
Kandy Tuskers and Colombo Kings will feature in the curtain-raiser match of the MyCircle11 LPL at 7:30 p.m. at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota which will be preceded by the opening ceremony.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will launch a new chapter in the history of the sport with the launch of the newest T20 league amid many obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are delighted to partner with the Innovate Production Group (IPG). This is a historic moment for Sri Lanka cricket as we were planning to hold this event for quite some time, but due to various reasons we were deprived,” said SLC secretary Mohan de Silva at a press conference on Tuesday (24).
He said the path breaking mega T20 tournament was about to become a reality thanks to the untiring efforts of the SLC President Shammi de Silva.
“Even though we planned to commence it in August, due to the second wave of this pandemic we had to push back the event. SLC was able to overcome all challenges and the executive committee was encouraged to go-ahead and make it a reality,” he said extending his gratitude to the positive role played by Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa.
“We would like to extend our gratitude for the magnanimous role and encouragement given by Namal Rajapaksa the Sports Minister who really went out of his way to gain necessary approvals to make this happen. I also thank President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka, Department of Health and their staff, Army Commander and his team of officials and other stakeholders who worked hard to make this a successful one,” said Mohan de Silva.
The SLC Tournament Director, Ravin Wickramaratne, asked as to why the Eastern Province had not been included for this tournament, said, “This (tournament) is only for this year. We have plans to increase the numbers in time to come. We have not left out the Eastern Province. We will accommodate them in the future.”
Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne who was not selected in the player draft said the LPL would be an ideal preparation before the national team departs for a two-Test tour of South Africa next month.
“Even in the past, we have played T20 tournaments first and then the Tests,” he said. “Our players also have a good opportunity to get the most out of the Lanka Premier League and adapt to the usual rhythm. In that case, we have a chance to do well in South Africa. In fact, I believe it is an advantage to organise a tournament like this at a time when a Test tour is imminent,” said Karunaratne.
Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews who will be leading Colombo Kings said tournaments like this help nurture young talent. “Every country has their own T20 league. Young players will get an opportunity to play alongside experienced players and foreign coaches,” he said.
Following are the teams:
DAMBULLA VIKING
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Samiullah Shenwari, Anwar Ali, Samit Patel, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Sudeep Tyagi, Paul Stirling, Lahiru Madushanka, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Perera, Ramesh Mendis, Pulina Tharanga, Malinda Pushpakumara, Aftab Alam, Ashen Bandara, Dilshan Madushanka, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Sachindu Colombage
GALLE GLADIATORS
Shahid Afridi (captain), Chadwick Walton, Hazratullah Zazai, Muhammed Amir, Danushka Gunatillake, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Akila Dananjaya, Milinda Siriwardena, Ashan Ali, Azam Khan, Lakshan Sandakan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Mohammed Shiraz, Abdul Nasir, Waqas Maqsood, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chanaka Ruwansiri, Sahan Arachchi, Duvindu Tillakaratne
KANDY TUSKERS
Kusal Janith Perera (captain), Brendon Taylor, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Sohail Tanveer, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Seekuge Prasanna, Asela Gunaratne, Naveen Ul Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Priyamal Perera, Kavishka Anjula, Lasith Embuldeniya, Kevin Kottigoda, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Samarakoon, Nishan Madushka, Chamikara Edirisinghe, Ishan Jayaratne
COLOMBO KINGS
Angelo Mathews (captain), Manpreet Singh Gony, Andre Russell, Laurie Evans, Daniel Bell Drummond, Isuru Udana, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Amila Aponso, Ashan Priyanjana, Ravinderpal Singh, Qais Ahmad, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thikshila de Silva, P.H.T. Kaushal, Lahiru Udara, Karim KhanSadeq, Dhammika Prasad, Himesh Ramanayake, Kalana Perera, Tharindu Ratnayake, Navod Paranavithana
JAFFNA STALLIONS
Thisara Perera (captain), Johnson Charles, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Binura Fernando, Tom Moores (WK), Kyle Abbott, Duanne Oliver, Chathuranga de Silva, Minod Bhanuka, Mahesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Yiyakanth Viyaskanth, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kanakaratnam Kapilraj, Thevendiram Dinoshan, Sebastianpillai Vijeyaraj
-ENCL
Captions
Jaffna Stallions captain Thisara Perera batting at the nets