COLOMBO: After yet another postponement, the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League, a franchise-based Twenty20 league organized by Sri Lanka Cricket, will (finally?) kick off on November 21, instead of the earlier “finalised” November 14 date.
The move is aimed at ensuring that participating players have adequate time to meet ‘quarantine requirements’. Translated, it means giving an opportunity for the players taking part in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season to make it to the LPL.
“Since the IPL will go until the 10th of November, we thought to keep some space for the players taking part in the IPL, and who wish to make it to the LPL to take part in the tournament,” LPL tournament director Ravin Wickramaratne was quoted as having said as per an SLC media statement.
The ‘Player Draft’ of the tournament, which was to take place on October 1, has now been shifted to October 9.
SLC has signed up with Dubai-based Innovative Production Group (IPG) to manage and conduct the tournament.
The 23-match League will be played on the three international venues of Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium.
Five teams named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna will participate in the League. IPG was offered rights for licensing of franchises, broadcasting, production and ground rights of the event.
The LPL was initially set to take place from August 28 to September 20 but was postponed due to the constantly evolving COVID-19 situation.
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