The Colombo Strikers have bolstered their team for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 with the addition of several international and domestic players during the auction. The franchise secured the services of Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz, Sri Lanka batter Niroshan Dickwella, and others in their bid to assemble a formidable squad.
Experienced campaigner Iftikhar Ahmed emerged as the most expensive player for the Strikers, with the Pakistan batter being picked up for an impressive amount of $50,000. Ahmed has an impressive T20 record, having scored 4,309 runs in his career so far.
Wahab Riaz, another Pakistani cricketer, was acquired by the Strikers for $40,000. The fast bowler has a remarkable track record, with 413 wickets to his name in T20 matches.
The Strikers also secured the services of Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella for $44,000. Dickwella has amassed 2,179 runs in T20s and has been effective behind the stumps with 65 catches and 21 stumpings. In addition, the franchise added Sri Lankan stars Pathum Nissanka and Lakshan Sandakan to their lineup for $40,000 and $30,000, respectively.
Pathum Nissanka, a top-order batter, has scored 2,040 runs in his T20 career, while Lakshan Sandakan has 83 wickets under his belt.
"We've put together a really strong side for our first season in the LPL. Acquiring international stars such as Wahab Riaz and Iftikhar Ahmed is a huge boost for us. The players will certainly gel well with our Icon Players, who were already part of our team. We are an explosive team and we can't wait to get on the park," expressed Sagar Khanna, the team owner of the Colombo Strikers, in a media release.
Earlier in May, the Colombo Strikers had announced a star-studded lineup of Icon Players, including Pakistan Captain Babar Azam, highly talented Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah, and Sri Lankan T20 stars Matheesha Pathirana and Chamika Karunaratne.
The Colombo Strikers are now geared up to make their debut in the Lanka Premier League, scheduled to take place in July-August 2023. With their strengthened squad, the Strikers aim to make a significant impact in the tournament and entertain cricket fans with their explosive brand of cricket.
Colombo Strikers' squad for LPL 2023: Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Wahab Riaz, Lakshan Sandakan, Movin Subasinghe, Nipun Dananjaya, Lahiru Udara, Sashika Dulshan, Eshan Malinga, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lorcan Tucker, Jeffrey Vandersay, Iftikhar Ahmed, Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Kavishka Anjula, Ramesh Mendis, Mohammad Nawaz, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Yashoda Lanka
Icon Players: Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana and Chamika Karunaratne.