Sri Lanka Cricket hopeful of Lanka Premier League starting by 28th August

With T20 leagues beginning all over the world, Sri Lanka has thrown its hat into the ring too with the Lankan Premier League. Although the government is yet to provide health approvals less than three weeks out from the scheduled start of the tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) remains optimistic that the tournament shall begin on the 28th of August. Sri Lanka cricket has signed a five-year deal with Dubai-based company Innovative Production Group(IPG) to organize the tournament. The responsibilities of the IPG include finding five franchises, securing sponsorship deals, and conducting a player draft all in a short amount of time. 

The major challenge for the league however remains the quarantine rules with the tournament fast approaching. Although, according to the league officials, there have been more than 70 players who have expressed their interest in playing in the league, the teams via draft picks are not expected to be finalized until next week. That leaves a very short window of time for players to fly into the island nation, quarantine themselves and get themselves match-fit, all within a span of 10 days.

"We are ready to start on the 28th, but there are some areas where we will have to be in line with the health authorities," SLC vice- president Ravin Wickramaratne told ESPNcricinfo. "By the 13th they will give us the guidelines as to what to do with the players. We had a couple of meetings with the health authorities, who have come up with health guidelines for tourists. They'd have to be in quarantine for seven days, but then their movements are restricted. We are trying to see whether foreign players can be excepted. We are not the experts, so we will wait for their guidance.”

There are more obstacles that the league will have to tackle if it is to run smoothly. Lack of international flights flying into Colombo threatens to derail the plans of an LPL beginning soon. "The other concern is some of the players coming from Australia, South Africa, and England. I think in England airports are operational, but other countries - their airports are closed. That's what we will have to look into, whether we get those players to a central point and then charter them here. But we are still waiting for IPG to inform us who are the players, and where they are coming from,” Wickramaratne added.

It is understood that despite not having been cleared by the government health authorities, the organizers IPG hopes to tie up franchise deals by the end of this week, with interest being shown by franchise owners from IPL as well. All the franchises coming on board shall be vetted by the ICC’s Anti-corruption Unit, according to Wickramaratne. The tournament was originally slated to be played across four venues. However, with the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo undergoing renovation work, the LPL will now have to settle to be played across three centers - Hambantota, Pallekele, and Dambulla.

[ESPNCricinfo inputs]