Start of Lanka Premier League 2021 pushed back to November 19

The Lanka Premier League (LPL), which was scheduled to be held from July 29 has been rescheduled to November 19 to December 12. The Governing Council is of the view that pushing the tournament back by a few months will enable more cricketers to take part in the tournament. 

Plenty of series are scheduled in August this year which will make the availability of players from Australia, West Indies, England and Pakistan difficult due to their involvement in international tournaments.

The inaugural edition of the LPL was also held last year in the November-December window, which the Jaffna Stallions - led by Thisara Perera - won. 

Even last year, some of the star cricketers like Faf du Plessis, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz and David Miller pulled out of the tournament as they were picked to represent their national teams. The likes of Colin Ingram and Carlos Brathwaite too opted out as they chose to play in the Big Bash League (BBL).

The Innovative Production Group, the events rights holder of LPL in a statement said, "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."