The Lanka Premier League (LPL), which was scheduled to be held from August 28 to September 20, has been postponed to November on account of the health guidelines stipulated by the Ministry of Health confirmed a press realise by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Tuesday August 11, 2020.
“The said decision was taken by SLC in consideration of the health guidelines stipulated by the Ministry of Health subsequent to the meeting held with the Health Ministry Authorities,” stated the SLC press release.
According to reports the Sri Lanka government had insisted on 14-day quarantine for everyone arriving in the island country for the inaugural edition of the LPL. However, with only 17 days until the scheduled start of the T20 league and with a substantial cost involved in the 14-day quarantine, the board was forced to rethink the league’s timings.
The inaugural edition of the LPL will be another attempt by the island nation at a T20 league, with earlier attempts in 2012 and 2018 failed to garner much viewer interest and fizzled out.
The all new attempt will feature 5 teams named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna in a 23-matches tournament to played across at 4 venues R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium.
The success of IPL has inspired many other cricketing nations to launch their own T20 leagues. Currently, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies have a annual T20 league.
