Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) to begin from August 10

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is proud to announce the birth of the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) Twenty20 tournament commencing from August 10 to August 31, 2012 (both dates inclusive) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy.

Twenty20’s massive popularity and status as the most exciting and entertaining format of cricket will be further enhanced by this newest tournament to the world of cricket. The tournament will be held in line with the MCC “SPIRIT OF CRICKET” guidelines.International players will be playing in the SLPL alongside Sri Lankan national cricketers and young Lankan hopefuls.

The first edition of SLPL Twenty20 will feature 7 Provincial teams which will adhere to a compulsory ruling of no more than 6 overseas players in each squad. However, it will be mandatory for each team to field only 4 overseas players in the playing eleven, whilst the remaining 7 players will all be Sri Lankans, with one player out of the said seven players will be an under-21 cricketer.

SLC shall, through this tournament, increase the number of Provincial teams from the existing number of 5 teams to 7 teams, in order to provide more opportunities to a vast number of talented players who are striving to advance to the next level of their cricketing abilities.
Each Provincial team shall draw elements of its unique branding/personality from the Province it represents.

The Provinces in pursuit of the SLPL 2012 Title for Season 1 are as follows:-

Basnahira Bears

Kandurata Kites

Nagenahira Nagas

Ruhuna Rhinos

Uthura Oryxes

Uva Unicorns

Wayamba Wolves

The names of the respective Sri Lankan Icon Players for each Province will be released shortly.

All 24 matches will be telecast live globally, and SLC believes that millions of television viewers across the globe will enjoy this tournament.