A four-team invitational domestic T20 tournament will replace the postponed Lanka Premier League (LPL) as part of Sri Lanka’s preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2022. 

The third edition of the LPL was to start from August 1 but has since been postponed to December on the request of the tournament rights holder on the basis that the prevailing economic crisis in Sri Lanka was not conducive to conduct the tournament. 

The invitational tournament will begin on August 9 with two matches each day – one day game and the other at night – and each team guaranteed at least three games, before the final scheduled for August 16. 

“The national selectors will pick the top 60 players from across the national squads, but among them will also be players who have performed well during the 50-over club tournament who are not a part of those squads. This will be an ideal opportunity for those players as well, to blossom,” Tournament Committee Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Samantha Dodanwela said. 

The Major Club three-day tournament will follow immediately after the invitational tournament, and run until mid-November, before the start of the LPL.