Colombo: Five Pakistani cricketers, including experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, have been picked by different teams in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 draft held on Monday.
For the five-team tournament, which will be held from July 17 to August 8, the Galle Gallants have roped in Pakistan all-rounder Nawaz in the Platinum Overseas Division and the country’s emerging left-arm fast bowler in the Gold Division.
Colombo Cops also acquired the services of two Pakistani players in their overseas stakes by picking up Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani in the Gold Division.
Meanwhile, Tambullai Sixers picked up another Pakistani fast bowler, Mohammad Wasim Jr., in the gold section, who will join compatriot Sahibzada Farhan in his squad as the top-order batsman was signed by the franchise ahead of the player draft as an overseas icon.
LPL 2026 officially kicks off on July 17, with the 2024 final between defending champions Jaffna Kings and runners-up Galle Gallants, the last edition of the competition.
The opening match will be staged under lights at the Sinhala Sports Club ground in Colombo, which recently hosted its first T20 international during this year’s T20 World Cup.
The SSC will hold three-day matches (July 17-19) before the tournament moves to Dambulla, followed by Kandy.
The league stage will then return to Colombo, with the knockout matches and the final R. Scheduled at Premadasa Maidan. A reserve day has been set aside for the final on August 9.
The 2026 edition will feature five teams namely Jaffna Kings, Colombo Cops, Kandy Royals, Galle Gallants and Tambullai Sixers.
Pakistani Players Selected in LPL 2026 Players Draft:
Colombo Cops: Mohammed Harris (Classic) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Gold)
Khali Gallants: Mohammad Nawaz (Platinum) and Akif Javed (Gold)
Dambulla Sixers: Mohammad Wasim Jr. (Gold)