COLOMBO: Pakistan opening batsman Sahibzada Farhan was among the top pre-signed players ahead of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026.
The five franchises of the tournament have announced their pre-signed players, with the remaining squad spots to be filled during the player Draft on 1 June to be held in Colombo.
Dambulla Sixers have roped in Farhan, the breakout star of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as an overseas icon player. South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks and Sri Lankan duo Dinesh Chandimal and Dushmanta Chameera will be joined by him.
Meanwhile four-time champions Jaffna Kings have roped in veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and speedy bowler Taskin Ahmed. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dunith Wellalage will support them.
On the other hand, Galle Gallants are yet to name their overseas star player.
The marquee tournament has also seen the entry of recently retired Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who will be playing for the Kandy Royals as an overseas star.
For the uninitiated, LPL is set to make a comeback with the upcoming edition scheduled to begin on July 17 and run until August 8, marking the return of Sri Lanka’s flagship T20 competition.
The season will get underway in the evening with reigning champions Jaffna taking on runners-up Galle in the season opener in a rematch of the 2024 final at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
The final is slated for August 8, with a reserve day on August 9.
One of the biggest structural changes for the new season is the scrapping of player retention, meaning all squads will be rebuilt from scratch. There will be a minimum of 18 players per team, with a maximum squad size of 20.
LPL 2026 pre-signed players:
Colombo Kaps
Local Icon: Kusal Mendis
Local Star: Kamindu Mendis
Overseas Icon: Jimmy Neesham
Overseas Star: Ben McDermott
Dambulla Sixers
Local Icon: Dushmantha Chameera
Local Star: Dinesh Chandimal
Overseas Icon: Sahibzada Farhan
Overseas Star: Reeza Hendricks
Galle Gallants
Local Icon: Dasun Shanaka
Local Star: Eshan Malinga
Overseas Icon: Rassie Ve Der Dussen
Overseas Star:
Jaffna Kings
Local Icon: Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Local Star: Dunith Wellalage
Overseas Icon: Shakib Al Hasan
Overseas Star: Taskin Ahmed
Kandy Royals
Local Icon: Wanindu Hasaranga
Local Star: Angelo Mathews
Overseas Icon: Moeen Ali
Overseas Star: Vijay Shankar
Read more: ICC announces Match Officials for Women’s World Cup 2026
