Sri Lanka To Host Lankan Premier League In August

Sri Lanka have contained the novel coronavirus pandemic well as their cricket board is looking to take advantage of the situation to host the Lankan Premier League. The board is looking to host the Lankan Premier League in 2020 with foreign players but with most foreign borders closed it looks unlikely.

As of now, each of India, Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the West Indies and South Africa have their own versions of franchise leagues. In the past, various boards in Sri Lanka have tried to begin a premier league in the country but failed to get it going, but the island nation looks contended for the tournament in 2020.

Sri Lanka Cricket await the decision of their president for Lankan Premier League

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva is looking to speak to their president Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a final decision on the tournament. Silva also said that their country has done well to withstand the pandemic and a lot of foreign players have shown their interests to participate in the league.

“We’re hoping to speak to His Excellency (President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) and see if we can come to a decision,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“Sri Lanka has done very well in containing the coronavirus as opposed to other countries in the region, and as such we have had a lot of interest from foreign players in taking part in the tournament.”

It is understood that the league will be played between five teams with 23 matches to take place between August 8 to 22.

The board had once managed to get the tournament going in  2012 which was attended by low crowds and did not see much fanfare.