Eight Lankan cricketers for inaugural UAE International League T20

Wanindu Hasaranga

Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, Shimron Hetmeyer, Chris Jordan and

Mujeeb Ur Rahman lead the big-name signings for the inaugural International League T20 (ILT20), to be played in the UAE in January-February next year.

The six franchises in the league - owned by Reliance Industries, Kolkata Knight Riders, Capri Global, GMR, Lancer Capital and Adani Sportsline - will exercise their “direct acquisition” rights to acquire these players, who they have been in discussions with.

No cricketers from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan feature in the league’s plans at this stage, while Chris Lynn is the only Australian in the mix. Cricket Australia has said that no Australian cricketer has applied for the no-objection certificate to play in the ILT20.

While things could change on the Australia, Bangladesh and India front - the last despite the BCCI’s stance against their players participating in overseas leagues, because of the number of teams owned by IPL owners - it is understood that Pakistani cricketers are not involved because they were unlikely to be granted NOCs by the PCB to play in the league, because of international and domestic commitments.

Dushmantha Chameera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa figure in the other names in this “first set” of players.

The statement named 33 more international cricketers who have signed on that includes Sri Lankan players Lahiru Kumara, Seekugge Prassanna, Charith Asalanka, Isuru Udana and Niroshan Dickwella.