Five Sri Lankan cricketers have been picked to represent three franchisees in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League 2019.
The CPL, one of the biggest T20 competitions in the world – in its seventh edition, will be played between 4th September and 12th October later this year. The annual player draft was held in London on 22nd May (Wednesday) with all six franchisees confirming their squads.
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Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler Lasith Malinga was picked by St. Lucia Stars in the first round of the draft for USD 160,000, while all-rounder Isuru Udana, who has been renowned for his T20-style of bowling and big hitting bagged USD 160,000 by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots also in the first round.
Fast-bowling all-rounder Thisara Perera will receive USD 90,000 after being picked by St. Lucia Stars in the fourth round of the draft.
Hero CPL 2019 Full Player List #CPLDraft #CPL19 #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/pROHzvcpRP
— CPL T20 (@CPL) May 22, 2019
After being dropped from the World Cup squad, wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella became the third Sri Lanka to join St. Lucia Stars for USD 30,000, while leg-spinning all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna was snapped up by Trinbago Knight Riders.
Video: Slinga’ Malinga takes 4 in 4
Out of all 536 players who entered the draft from all over the world, 34 were Sri Lankan cricketers.
Some of the other big earners from the player draft were England batsman Alex Hales, Pakistani leg-spinner Shadab Khan and West Indian all-rounders Andre Russel and Dwayne Bravo.
Sri Lanka will not have any limited-overs cricket internationally during the course of the CPL.
