Lanka Premier League 2 is all set to kick off on November 19. The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021, which was expected to commence on the July 29 has been rescheduled to be held from November 19 to December 12, 2021.
The Governing Council of the Lanka Premier League is of the view that rescheduling the tournament will enable more players from leading cricket-playing nations to take part in the league.
Lanka Premier League 2nd Edition Is Rescheduled On November 19 To Accommodate More Players In A Jampacked International Calender
The council made this decision after assessing that at least one similar premier league and several international tours will be played among the cricketing nations during August 2021, during the period, when the Lanka Premier League’s 2nd edition was expected to be played. The Innovative Production Group, the LPL Event Rights Holder, supports the decision of the SLC.
“IPG supports SLC’s decision to postpone the second edition of LPL. The success of the League is of paramount importance. We thank the SLC, Sri Lankan Government, players, franchisees, and sponsors for their support,” said Anil Mohan, Founder, and CEO of Innovative Production Group FZE, the official promoters of the LPL.
The first edition of the LPL, which is Sri Lanka’s top-most domestic T20 league, with an international flavour, was initiated last year and was held at the MRICS, Hambantota, with the participation of five teams. The first edition of LPL commenced on November 26 last year. Jaffna Stallions won the inaugural edition of the tournament as the side defeated Galle Gladiators in the final on December 16.
CPL And The Hundred In August Probably Have Forced LPL Organizers To Rethink And Postpone The League To November
According to tournament director Ravin Wickramaratne, the announcement of the Kashmir Premier League (set to run from August 6 to 17), the Caribbean Premier League (which requires players to be free from August 12), the ECB’s The Hundred (which runs from July 21 to August 21), and another possible international series involving Bangladesh, have forced the LPL tournament organizers to rethink their timing.
The LPL is without three of the five franchises that competed in the inaugural season last year. SLC and IPG have terminated the contracts of three teams — Colombo Kings and Dambulla Viiking on June 26 and Jaffna Stallions — and the approval for the new management has not yet been received. Sources have confirmed that KYCs of the three new managements are still awaiting clearance from the International Cricket Council (ICC).