The player auction of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be held on 1st October 2020. About 150 top T20 cricketers including Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy, Darren Bravo, Shahid Afridi, Shakib-Al-Hasan, Ravi Bopara, Colin Munro, Munaf Patel and Vernon Philander are in line to play in the inaugural edition of the LPL.
Each franchise can buy up to six international players. A total of 30 international cricketers and 65 local cricketers are expected to make up the five teams.
The tournament will run from 14 November to 6 December 2020. The tournament was to be held in August but had to postpone due to the circumstances surrounded by COVID-19 pandemic.
The matches will be played in Dambulla, Pallekele and Hambantota international stadiums. The LPL launch will be held in Hambantota.
Though what could raise concerns is that LPL is yet to get a government nod for shorter quarantine for players, officials and the broadcast staff. It was for this very reason that the tournament was earlier postponed, and was originally to be held in August.
The SLC officials have asked for the quarantine period to be reduced from 14 to 7 days. While there has been no community spread of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, the authorities have been very strict with the protocols and avoid such a situation.
