Excitement fills the air as the Colombo Strikers gear up to make their first appearance in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 20.
During a virtual press conference held on Tuesday, the franchise's Head Coach, Simon Helmot, expressed his anticipation of working with Pakistan superstar Babar Azam. Helmot commended the team's well-balanced squad and praised the efforts of Sagar and the team during the auction. He emphasized the importance of performing on match day and setting a strong tone from the beginning.
Helmot also highlighted the positive impact of the LPL on young players in Sri Lanka, stating that the tournament provides a great opportunity for youngsters to learn and grow. He mentioned the value of working with seasoned bowler Chaminda Vaas, whose expertise will be invaluable to the young bowlers in the team.
Chaminda Vaas, the Bowling Coach for the Colombo Strikers, expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament and the team's bowling unit. Led by Naseem Shah and Wahab Riaz, the bowling lineup also includes the promising talent of Matheesha Pathirana, who performed well in the IPL. Vaas emphasized the importance of learning from international cricketers and the positive impact of the LPL on Sri Lankan cricket.
Team owner Sagar Khanna shared his excitement ahead of the Colombo Strikers' first season in the LPL. Having gained experience in franchise cricket from the USA to Abu Dhabi, Khanna expressed his eagerness to be part of the Colombo Strikers and emphasized the team's strong anticipation for the upcoming season.
The Colombo Strikers will kick off their LPL journey with a match against the Jaffna Kings on July 30. The tournament promises to be an exciting platform for young players to learn and showcase their skills, while international stars like Babar Azam will undoubtedly raise the level of competition.