Five teams are expected to participate in the franchise-based LPL:
Sri Lanka Cricket is very much hopeful to conduct the inaugural session of the T20 league from 8th August to 22nd August despite the decision of the government to delay the reopening of the international airport of Sri Lanka till 1st August because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SLC has received permission from the sports ministry of the country to organize the league, but the fate of the Lanka Premier League depends upon the decision of the government to open the borders of Sri Lanka for the arrival of overseas players.
The CEO of SLC, Ashley de Silva quoted “We are hoping to talk with president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and see if we can come to a decision or not. Sri Lanka has done a tremendous job in containing the COVID-19 in comparison to other nations and as such we are very much eager that foreign players taking part in the league.”
Just now, Sri Lanka has recovered more than 2000 coronavirus cases from which over 1700 patients have recovered.
It is expected that five sides are taking part in the LPL, which was conducted by SLC in the year 2018 but till now it failed to see the light of the day.
Still, Sri Lanka Cricket Board is accepting tenders for the ownership of the franchise. Through an auction, the players will be picked up.
Every squad is permitted to pick at most six overseas players in the team with only four in the eleven members. The duration of the league will depend upon the now-delayed tour of India to Sri Lanka as both the cricket boards are finding out options to fulfill their commitments in August.
De Silva said, “At this time, we are looking at 23 matches, but in case India agrees to participate then mostly it comes down to 13.”
