Cricket: Sri Lanka to host 2nd ICPL in Colombo

All plans have been made afoot to hold the second edition of International Cricket Premier League (ICPL) Twenty20 Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka in January, 2017. 

According to the Organising Committee of ICPL eight teams run by Cricket Academies from different countries are expected to compete in the seven-day event scheduled to be held at the P. Sara Oval and R. Premadasa stadiums -- both international venues. 

Each team will feature six Under-19 players along with five iconic players from their respective countries. 

Representing Sri Lanka, Kelaniya Cricket Academy is set to make their debut in the tournament while the remaining seven teams are yet to be confirmed by the organisers. 

"We have sent invitations to Cricket Academies across India, the UAE and Bangladesh. We are waiting for their response and once we get fully confirmed teams, the final eight teams will be announced," stated Praveen Amre, a ICPL Committee Member and a former Indian cricketer later turned India Under-19 selector and the coach of IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians.

"We would like to thank Sanath Jayasuriya for taking up the role of Brand Ambassador, Shezad Altaf from the UAE, Praveen Amre from India, Nimal Perera from Sri Lanka and other dignitaries for their support in making this event a possibility and helping the development of the game," stated Ali Asfak Thara, the Chief Organiser of ICPL.

"The major facet of the ICPL is to develop youth cricket along with making the sport more accessible and engaging for supporters of the game. The tournament will add another dimension to competitiveness and quality of cricket for spectators with professional cricketers and known international names. This season will be an evenly-matched tournament as all eight teams will recruit exciting talent across the Under-19 level as well as seniors," Thara added.

The tournament, which includes 15 games to the final, will commence on January 7 with all the preliminary round games set to take place at the P. Sara Oval.

Two games are set to be played during a day -- one at 9.30am and the other at 1.30pm. 

From the semi-final stage, the competition will be moved to the R. Premadasa Stadium, where the grand finale is set to be played under lights.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four each where the top two of each team will advance to the semi-finals.

The winners are set to receive trophies, cash awards as well as the player of each match, player of the series, best batsman, best bowler and best fielder. 

The tournament is the brainchild of Ali, who runs the successful Ali Tours and Travels.