Mohammad Hafeez, Tim Southee Among 93 International Stars Named For Lankan Premier League

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and New Zealand quick Tim Southee are among the 93 international players enlisted for the inaugural edition of the Lankan Premier League (LPL). The list also includes the name of England’s World Cup winning paceman Liam Plunkett, according to a report in Ceylon Today.

According to the report, Dubai-based sports broadcasting company, Innovative Production Group (IPG), has been awarded “total rights” of the LPL for five years. “IPG has total rights over ground, production, franchises and TV rights of the tournament where they pay USD 2 million annually for the said rights,” the report said.

“…it’s now up to IPG and franchises to finalise their players via negotiations with the players, or any other suitable method, and SLC will not be further involved in the matter.” The report also stated that “a total of 30 international cricketers (six each per franchise) and five coaches will be selected for the league”. In addition, a pool of 130 local players will be available to the franchises to select from.

“A Sri Lankan icon player would get a salary cap of USD 60,000, while a top cricketer would be in the range of USD 50,000 to 40,000. Others would fit into the USD 40,000 to 30,000 and USD 20,000 to 10,000 ranges, depending on their stature.

“International players are expected to be in the USD 10,000 to 60,000 range.”

It is understood that the league will be played between five teams with 23 matches to take place between August 8 to 22. Their will be four stadium used – R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium.

Five teams have been named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna.