Zaheer Khan Becomes Co-owner of Anchor Jaffna Kings in Lanka Premier League
Zaheer Khan becomes co-owner of Anchor Jaffna Kings after Anchor Sports AB acquires the LPL franchise and rebrands the team.
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has entered cricket franchise ownership after becoming the co-owner of the Jaffna team in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The move comes after Stockholm-based sports investment firm Anchor Sports AB completed the acquisition of the franchise.
Following the takeover, the team has been officially renamed from Jaffna Kings to Anchor Jaffna Kings. Zaheer will co-own the franchise alongside Anchor Sports founder and businessman Nagendra Siddoutam.
The ownership change also brings stability to one of the LPL’s most successful teams. The franchise had been under the temporary control of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and LPL rights holders IPG since July 23 after its previous owners lost control due to financial and legal issues. The new deal restores a structured management system ahead of the upcoming season.
Anchor Jaffna Kings are the most successful team in LPL history. They have won four titles in the tournament’s five completed seasons. The current squad is led by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and includes international players Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy.
For Zaheer, the investment marks his first ownership role in Sri Lankan franchise cricket. Speaking in an official release, the former India pacer said he has always admired the innovation and depth of Sri Lanka’s bowling talent and is excited to be part of the country’s cricket journey through franchise ownership.
LPL Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela welcomed the move, saying Zaheer’s presence will be a major boost for the league. He added that young Sri Lankan cricketers will benefit from learning and interacting with one of India’s finest fast bowlers.
Nagendra Siddoutam said the acquisition fits Anchor Sports AB’s long-term vision of building strong local franchises connected through an international cricket network. With the addition of Anchor Jaffna Kings, the company now owns teams in Sri Lanka, Belgium through the Antwerp Anchors, and Canada through the Vancouver Anchors.
The new ownership hopes to build on Jaffna’s winning legacy while strengthening player development and expanding the franchise’s global reach.
