The third edition of the Lanka Premier League will be played between July 31 and August 21, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket on June 11.
The competition will continue featuring five teams, despite the speculation over another participant being added ahead of the third edition. The release further added that the registration of international players for the player draft “will commence shortly”.
The tournament will retain its format, with a total of 24 games to be played. The five teams will play the other four twice each, with the top-four making the playoffs. As was the case last year, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host the league matches, while the two qualifiers, the eliminator and the final will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.
“We are extremely happy to announce the 3rd edition of the Lanka Premier League, which has started its journey toward carving a place in the global T20 League competitions, as a formidable tournament,”
SLC president Shammi Silva stated in the release.
Jaffna Kings won each of the competition’s first two editions under Thisara Perera, beating Bhanuka Rajapaksha’s Galle Gladiators in the two finals.
Danushka Gunathalika (702 runs at 41.29) and Wanindu Hasaranga (28 wickets at 15.6) have been the most successful players on respective fronts in the competition’s history.
The LPL has been graced by seasoned internationals like Imran Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Duanne Olivier and Samit Patel among others in its first two editions.
The tournament will serve as a preparation for Sri Lanka and other international players in build up to the T20 World Cup 2022 to be played in Australia later this year. Sri Lanka are also set to host the Asia Cup in September before the marquee event.
