Colombo Strikers announce Babar, Pathirana as icon players for LPL 2023

COLOMBO: The Colombo Strikers, who will play their first season of the Lanka Premier League this year, announced a star-studded icon players’ line-up on Tuesday.

The icon players include Pakistan captain Babar Azam, highly talented Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah and Sri Lankan T20 stars Matheesha Pathirana and Chamika Karunaratne.

The 20-year-old Pathirana has caught the cricketing world by storm with his performances in T20s in the recent past. The fast bowler has picked up 22 wickets in 20 matches at a spectacular average of 22.36.

Meanwhile, bowling all-rounder Karunaratne will play a vital role in the Colombo Strikers team. The experienced campaigner has taken 60 wickets and scored 726 runs in 93 T20 matches.

The Colombo franchise will certainly receive a lot of attention from cricket fans around the world with Pakistan superstar Babar in their set-up. The top-order batter has amassed a whopping 9,201 runs in 260 T20s at a brilliant average of 44.02.

Fast bowler Naseem will be looking to lead the bowling attack with Pathirana. The youngster has taken 73 wickets in 76 matches at a magnificent average of 29.75.

Speaking about the announcement of the icon players, Sagar Khanna said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have four of the biggest T20 stars as a part of our icon players’ line-up. We have built a strong core group of players around which we will construct a formidable team for the season. With these superstars with us, we are well on our way to forming a power-packed team.”

The Colombo Strikers will be in action in their first season of the Lanka Premier League in July-August 2023.