Lanka Premier League: Liam Plunkett, Tim Southee and Mohammad Hafeez among 93 overseas players for LPL 2020

Liam Plunkett, Tim Southee and Mohammad Hafeez: Many high-profile names are said to be available to take part in LPL 2020.

With less than three weeks remaining for the commencement of Sri Lanka’s first T20 league in the last eight years, the developments regarding the Lanka Premier League 2020 are becoming frequent.

While most of the developments at this stage are mere reports, one expects officials announcements to follow soon as the tournament is set to begin from August 28.

According to a report in Ceylon Today, Dubai-based sports broadcasting company Innovative Production Group has acquired the broadcasting rights for a span of five years.

“IPG has total rights over ground, production, franchises and TV rights of the tournament where they pay USD 2 million annually for the said rights.

“It’s now up to IPG and franchises to finalise their players via negotiations with the players, or any other suitable method, and SLC will not be further involved in the matter,” the report said.

Liam Plunkett, Tim Southee and Mohammad Hafeez among 93 overseas players for LPL 2020

According to a media release by Sri Lanka Cricket, it had claimed that over 70 international players and 10 “top-notch” coaches have confirmed their availability to play in LPL 2020.

The report in Ceylon Today states that the likes of veteran England seamer Liam Plunkett, veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and New Zealand seamer Tim Southee will all be available in the draft from which franchises will pick six players each.

ALSO READ: Irfan Pathan confirms unavailability for LPL 2020

“A Sri Lankan icon player would get a salary cap of USD 60,000, while a top cricketer would be in the range of USD 50,000 to 40,000. Others would fit into the USD 40,000 to 30,000 and USD 20,000 to 10,000 ranges, depending on their stature. International players are expected to be in the USD 10,000 to 60,000 range,” the report added.

The five teams (Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna) taking part in the tournament will play matches at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (Khettarama), Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium (Dambulla), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Pallekele) and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium (Sooriyawewa).

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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