The LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE 2020 (LPL 2020), comprising of 23 matches will start from November 21 to December 13 in 15 days. The tournament is scheduled to be played at two venues. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota Sri Lanka. 05 Teams would be participating in the tournament.
The LPL 2020 has taken a step closer to materializing after the dates for the inaugural edition of the T20 competition were confirmed. Five teams are set to contest 23 matches between November 21 and December 13, 2020. Sri Lanka still has a 14-day quarantine in place for arrivals into the country. It is unknown whether this regulation will be eased to ensure overseas players can participate.
LPL Matches back after 08 years
The LPL 2020 was a T20 cricket competition in Sri Lanka. It was intended to be the premier Twenty 20 league in the country, held by Sri Lanka Cricket, when it replaced the Inter-Provincial Twenty20 competition. After the 2011 season was postponed, its first season was held in 2012. The 2013 and 2014 seasons were cancelled due to organizational problems and lack of sponsorship. The 2014 Super 4’s T20 replaced the tournament.
Teams and Players on Board
In a draft, Manpreet and Manvinder were picked by Colombo Kings, one of the five teams participating in the LPL 2020. In the draft held online, West Indies legend Chris Gayle was picked as one of foreign icons by Kandy Tuskers. Apart from Gayle, the Tuskers also picked up Kusal Janith as the local icon while Liam Plunkett is the second foreign icon in the team. The Tuskers also have former Sri Lankan captain Hashan Tillakaratne in its coaching staff. Colombo Kings also picked Angelo Mathews, former Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell among others. Mathews is the local icon in the team while du Plessis and Russell are the two overseas icons. The Kings also picked Dav Whatmore, as part of the coaching set-up.
Galle Gladiators have Lasith Malinga as the local icon while Shahid Afridi and Colin Ingram are the two overseas signing and the team will be coached by former Pakistan skipper Moin Khan. Dasun Shanaka is the local icon for Dambulla Hawks while David Miller and Carlos Brathwaite are the overseas signing. The Hawks team will be coached by former English cricketer Jon Lewis. Jaffna Stallions have Thisara Perera as the local icon and Dawid Malan as the overseas signing.
TEAM SQUAD LPL 2020
Colombo Kings:
Angelo Mathews, Manpreet Singh Gony, Isuru Udana, Dinesh Chandimal, Amila Aponso, Ashan Priyanjaya, Ravinderpal Singh, Dusmantha Chameera, Jefferey Vandersay, Thikshila de Silva, Pht Kaushal, Lahiru Udara, Himesh Ramanayka, Kalana Perera, Tharindu Rathnayaka, Navod Paranawithana.
Dambulla Hawks:
Dasun Shanaka, Carlos Brathwaite, Samit Patel, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Paul Stirling, Lahiru Madushanka, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Perera, Ramesh Mendis, Pulina Tharanga, Ashen Bandara, Dilshan Madushanka, Sachindu Colombage
Galle Gladiators
Lasith Malinga, Shahid Afridi, Colin Ingram, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Amir, Danushka Gunatilleka, Bhanuka Rajapaska, Akila Dananjaya, Milinda Siriwardena, Sarfraz Ahmed, Azam Khan, Lakshan Sandakan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Mohomed Shiraz, Dhanjaya Lakshan, Chanaka Ruwansiri
Jaffna Stallions
Thisara Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Avishka Fernando, Dananjaya De Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Binura Fernando, Asif Ali, Minod Bhanuka, Chathuranga de Silva, Mahesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Navindu Fernando, Kanagaratnam Kapilraj, Theivendiram Dinoshan, Yiyakanth Yiyaskanth
Kandy Tuskers
Kusal Janith, Chris Gayle, Liam Plunkett, Wahab Riaz, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Seekkuge Prasanna, Asela Gunerathne, Naveen-ul-Haq, Kamindu Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Priyamal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Priyamal Perera, Kavisha Anjula, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Samarakoon, Nishan Madushka Fernando, Chamika Edirisinghe, Ishan Jayaratne
