Lanka Premier League put off

Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to put off the much-anticipated Lanka Premier League once again after failing to get full clearance from health authorities. The tournament was to start on August 28.

SLC has requested health authorities a period of three days for quarantine of foreign players. However this has been refused by the health authorities forcing Sri Lanka Cricket to postpone the tournament. At present, new arrivals on the island are expected to spend at least 14 days in quarantine which means players would have only a few days' preparation with their teams, at most.

“We might play it in October/November,” said board Secretary Mohan de Silva.  Teams are yet to be finalised which means players are unlikely to arrive more than 10 days out from the scheduled start.

SLC recently signed a five-year deal with the Dubai-based Innovative Production Group (IPG.  As per the terms of the deal, it is now down to IPG to find franchisees for the five proposed LPL teams, as well as secure sponsors, and conduct an LPL draft. According to officials 70 overseas players have expressed a strong interest in playing.