LPL kicks off today with Jaffna-Colombo clash
Can Jaffna Kings claim their fourth LPL title?
After leading Pakistan to a resounding 2-0 win against Sri Lanka in the concluded bilateral Test series, which was part of the latest World Test Championship cycle, skipper Babar Azam will play a key role for Colombo Strikers in today’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 curtain raiser game against title holders Jaffna Kings. The first game of the fourth edition of LPL will take place from 7.30p.m. at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, which is expected to have a full capacity crowd with both teams featuring star-studded lineups.
Beginning today, Sri Lankan cricket followers will have ample white-ball action running up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to be held in India, with the Asia Cup scheduled between the two high profile competitions. Despite the recent 0-2 Test shocker against Pakistan, local followers will turn their focus on the fleet of Pakistani players staying back for the LPL 2023 as Babar Azam and spinner Naseem Shah are tipped to be among the probable playing XI for last edition’s losing finalists, Colombo Strikers. Spinner Ramesh Mendis, who ended up in the losing side in the Test series, will team up with them for Colombo, which has a heavy lineup of known names including skipper Niroshan Dickwella, Ifthikar Ahmed, Pathum Nissanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Angelo Perera, Matheesha Pathirana, Lakshan Sandakan, Jeffrey Vandersay and Wahab Riaz.
Former Sri Lanka T20 skipper and allrounder Thisara Perera will lead Jaffna Kings with intention laying their hands for the fourth consecutive time, after winning all three editions played so far, a record standing. To break the Pakistani formula of Colombo Strikers, Perera will have the expertise of their loyalist, veteran Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistani skipper who turns out for the Jaffna team for the fourth time. Among other known players in the side are Asela Gunaratne, Chris Lynn, David Miller, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage, Zaman Khan and young silent achiever Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
Among other local stars who were part of the recent Test squad in action in LPL 4 are Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama (Dambulla Aura), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis (B-Love Kandy) and Vishwa Fernando (Galle Titans).
In addition Sri Lanka white-ball skipper Dasun Shanaka leads Galle Titans alongside international stars Shakib Al Hasan and Tabraiz Shamsi, while B-Love Kandy includes its skipper Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Fakhar Zaman and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. Avishka Fernando switched from Jaffna to Dambulla Aura led by Kusal Mendis. The team also includes Kusal Perera, Binura Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Dushan Hemantha, Praveen Jayawickrama, Hasan Ali, Ben McDermott and Noor Ahmed.
Today’s opening game will be the first of the 24 games lined up in the LPL 4 right up to the final, which will take place on August 20 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. But eight out of the total 24 games are also slotted to be played at the Pallekele International Stadium.
Wahab Riaz | |