Colombo: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead Galle Gladiators in the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League beginning Thursday. Domestic talent Bhanuka Rajapaksa will serve as his deputy.
Galle Gladiators name superstar Shahid Afridi as captain, Bhanuka Rajapaksa as vice-captain,” the franchise confirmed on their official Twitter handle.
Afridi — who played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 99 T20Is for Pakistan — recently featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) play-offs played in Karachi. He picked up three wickets and scored 12 runs in two matches for Multan Sultans.
Sudeep Tyagi, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel and Manpreet Gony are the Indians participating in the league.
Apart from Gladiators, the other four teams in the league are Kandy Tuskers, Dambulla Hawks, Colombo Kings and Jaffna Stallions.
South Africa’s Dale Steyn will be joining the Kandy Tuskers squad for the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
We are also thrilled to announce that one of the greatest bowlers of all time Dale Steyn will join the Kandy Tuskers squad! the franchise said on their official Twitter handle.
Earlier, Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor joined the squad for the tournament where Tuskers are slated to face Colombo Kings in the opening match.
We are excited to announce that Brendan Taylor has joined #TuskerNation! Tuskers said in another tweet.
Chris Gayle and Liam Plunkett, who were slated to play for Tuskers, had pulled out of the event.