World-class cricketers set sights on LPL 2023

Wednesday, 26 April 2023 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is back and better than ever with its upcoming 4th edition set to take place from 30 July to 20 August. This year, the matches will be played both in Colombo and Kandy, featuring five teams: Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Aura, Lyca Jaffna Kings, Colombo Strikers and Kandy Falcons – with each team including six international players. Player Registrations will open on the 15 May, for both local and international players, with the Live Player Draft scheduled for 4 June.

One of the most exciting aspects of the LPL is the calibre of players it attracts from all around the world. This year, some of the biggest names in cricket will be participating, including West Indies stars Dwayne Bravo and Keiron Pollard, as well as Shakib Al Hassan, one of Bangladesh’s greatest all-rounders.

But that is not all! The LPL has also announced a number of foreign players who have been registered for the upcoming players’ draft. Players from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand, and Namibia will all be vying for a chance to participate in the tournament.

Some of the star players include Matthew Wade, Shaun Marsh, D’Arcy Short, Usman Khawaja, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi, Muhammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Wahab Riaz, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Paul Stirling, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Doug Bracewell, and Gerhard Erasmus.

The teams will play each other twice in the round-robin stage, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The tournament promises to be an action-packed, super thrilling series with top-quality cricket on display throughout.

Dubai-based production giant IPG Founder and CEO Anil Mohan, the official promoter of LPL, expressed his excitement about the games and the quality of players the LPL attracts: “This year’s tournament includes an exciting list of players. I am sure fans can look forward to some scintillating performances from them.”

West Indies stars Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard have agreed to participate only in the first part of the LPL tournament due to their commitments to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Players of their fine calibre, and global recognition, willing to make accommodations to participate in the LPL, is a testament to the quality of the tournament and the level of international talent it is capable of attracting.

“The tournament has been scheduled for July and August this year, as it sits well with Sri Lanka’s international calendar. It also gives us the best opportunity to attract top international talent,” said Lanka Premier League Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela.