Among 70 players Irfan Pathan showing interest in Lanka Premier League

Jammu, Aug 2:Erstwhile All-rounder Irfan Pathan from India could be one of the biggest attractions in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) as he is among the 70 foreign players who have expressed interest in competing in the event starting August 28.
According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Pathan, who announced his retirement in January this year, will now be "put in a player draft unless one of the five franchises choose him to be a marquee player." "The details of the draft, and the franchise owners, are yet to be finalised and announced. SLC is also waiting on some government clearances even as it decides on franchise owners.
"The 23-match League will be played on the four international venues of R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium," the SLC said in a statement. "Five teams named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna will participate in the League." Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, a World Cup winner, had last year represented Maratha Arabians in the T10 League in Abu Dhabi.
If everything goes to plan, the SLC is hopeful the tournament will be played in front of small crowds. It is hoped that the Colombo airport will be opened up to traffic in the coming couple of weeks. Sri Lanka has reported under 3000 Covid-19 positive cases. The lockdown was lifted in June, but the airport has been receiving only repatriation flights.