Five cricketers from Pakistan, including the seasoned all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, have been selected by various teams during the players draft for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, which took place here on Monday.
This five-team tournament is set to run from July 17 to August 8. The Galle Gallants have brought in Nawaz as part of their platinum overseas category, and they've also signed an up-and-coming left-arm pacer from Pakistan in the gold category.
Colombo Kaps have also made a move for two Pakistani players, adding Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani to their overseas roster in the gold category. In another development, the Dambulla Sixers have picked up another Pakistani pacer, Mohammad Wasim Jr, in the gold category. He'll be joining his fellow countryman Sahibzada Farhan, who was signed as an overseas icon by the franchise before the draft.
The LPL 2026 is set to kick off on July 17, featuring a rematch of the 2024 final between the reigning champions, Jaffna Kings, and the runners-up, Galle Gallants, from the last tournament. The opening match will take place under the lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds in Colombo, which recently hosted its first T20 International during this year's T20 World Cup.
The SSC will host the first three days of matches (July 17–19) before the tournament moves to Dambulla and then Kandy. After that, the league stage will return to Colombo, with the knockout matches and the final scheduled to be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
A reserve day has been set for the final on August 9. The 2026 edition will feature five franchises: Jaffna Kings, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals, Galle Gallants, and Dambulla Sixers.
Pakistan players picked for LPL 2026
Colombo Kaps: Mohammad Haris (Classic) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Gold)
Galle Gallants: Mohammad Nawaz (Platinum) and Akif Javed (Gold)
Dambulla Sixers: Mohammad Wasim Jr (Gold)