COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s flagship T20 competition is set for a significant Pakistani flavor, as five cricketers from across the border were snapped up by franchises during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 players draft, held Monday in Colombo, underscoring the enduring demand for Pakistan’s white-ball talent on the international franchise circuit.
For the five-team tournament, scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8, Galle Gallants roped in Pakistan all-rounder Nawaz in the platinum overseas category, besides signing the country’s emerging left-arm pacer Akif Javed in the gold category.
🚨 PAKISTAN PLAYERS IN LPL 2026. 🚨
Sahibzada Farhan – Dambulla (Icon)
Mohd Nawaz – Galle (Platinum)
Akif Javed – Galle (Gold)
Wasim Jr – Dambulla (Gold)
Shahnawaz Dhani – Colombo (Gold)
Muhammad Haris – Colombo (Classic) pic.twitter.com/dqc4FndWHY— Shahid Shakil (@Shahid56Shakil) June 1, 2026
Colombo Kaps also acquired the services of two Pakistani players in their overseas stocks by picking wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris and fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, both in the gold category.
Meanwhile, Dambulla Sixers picked another Pakistan pacer, Mohammad Wasim Jr, in the gold category. He will link up with compatriot Sahibzada Farhan in their squad, as the top-order batter was signed as an overseas icon by the franchise ahead of the players’ draft.
Tournament schedule and venues
The LPL 2026 will officially get underway on July 17, featuring a repeat of the 2024 final between reigning champions Jaffna Kings and runners-up Galle Gallants.
The opening fixture will be staged under 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 opening three-day block of matches (July 17–19) before the competition moves to Dambulla, followed by Kandy. The league stage will then return to Colombo, with the knockout matches and final scheduled at the R. Premadasa Stadium. A reserve day has been set aside for the final on August 9.
The board is ready. The strategy is locked in. The future starts today.
🏏 Welcome to the 2026 LPL Player Draft.#LPL2026 #LPLDraft #DraftDay #SriLankaCricket #LankaPremierLeague @OfficialSLC @ipg_productions pic.twitter.com/aVATkY2qeI
— LPL – Lanka Premier League (@LPLT20) June 1, 2026
Franchises and Pakistani picks
The 2026 edition will feature five franchises: Jaffna Kings, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals, Galle Gallants, and Dambulla Sixers.
Pakistan players picked at LPL 2026 players draft
- Colombo Kaps: Mohammad Haris (Classic category) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Gold)
- Galle Gallants: Mohammad Nawaz (Platinum) and Akif Javed (Gold)
- Dambulla Sixers: Mohammad Wasim Jr (Gold)
