First edition of Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) is scheduled to held at R. Premadasa stadium (Colombo) and Pallekele stadium (Kandy) from 10th of August to 31st.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially announced the launch of SLPL T20 tournament last Monday (14th May 2012) at a media conference. Tournament was originally scheduled to launch last year (2011). But it was postponed due to a confusion between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and SLPL’s official marketing partner Somerset Entertainment Ventures (Singapore) Pte Limited. BCCI suspected a link between IPL’s former commissioner Lalit Modi and Somerset Entertainment Ventures Limited. SLC was forced to postpone the tournament when BCCI decided to pull their player off the SLPL. However things are looking good so far this year as both BCCI and Somerset Entertainment Ventures Limited seems to settle their issues.
There will be 7 teams representing 7 provinces participating in SLPL 2012. Each team is limited to only 6 overseas players in their squad and four players in the playing eleven. And also each team must feature a at least one youngster on the field from their own province. Remaining six players can be from any province on Sri Lanka. Seven teams that will be playing this year is as follows,
- Basnahira Bears
- Kandurata Kites
- Nagenahira Nagas
- Ruhuna Rhinos
- Uthura Oryxes
- Uva Unicorns
- Wayamba Wolves
SLC is still looking for sponsors for these 7 teams and SLC chairman, Mr. Upali Dharmadasa already admitted that success of this tournament depend on how many sponsors they find. However he also mentioned that Sri Lanka’s business giants like Singer Sri Lanka is already showing interest on the tournament.
Captains and Sri Lankan players for each team are yet to be named and will be announced in next few weeks. Stay tuned for more SLPL 2012 news.
