LPL a reality in 2020?

LPL a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka cricket fans 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) organised Local Premier League (LPL) is scheduled to take place in August/September. SLC are doing their level best to get things going and work this event off as scheduled. The initial event took place in 2012. A lot will depend on the Indian (June) and Bangladesh (July) tour to Sri Lanka which goes on without any issues even under a locked stadium.

SLC called for media rights, ground sponsorship rights and TV production services for this T20 format event was called in the press. This will put in place with five teams namely Kandy, Colombo, Galle, Jaffna and Hambantota playing for honours. 

The event is scheduled to take place at Pallekelle, Hambantota, Dambulla and Colombo from 1 August to 4 September. In total there are 23 games with 16 days of play with each team playing at home and away basis with two semi-finals plus a grand final under lights.

Each team will have a squad of 16 players plus 10 coaching staff members. Two of the coaching staff should carry international coaching exposure. Six ICC players from full/associate member countries will add colour to each of the five teams. 

This will give the much needed exposure for the local players. Panel of International Cricket Council (ICC) officials along with SLC will run the tournament. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) likely to be cancelled, this will be an ideal opportunity for players to get some exposure before going for the ICC T20 World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Australia at the end of 2020.   The Sri Lanka cricket-loving public will be eager to see this tournament being worked off on time with the England tour ending abruptly due to COVID-19. Further Indian and Bangladesh tours before the LPL will be used as a yard stick to conduct this mega event without any health issues. If so, this will erase off the drought for the seven-year wait for the LPL.