Things are getting complicated for the organisers of the Lanka Premier League. First, the league was rescheduled, amid the coronavirus pandemic, then many foreign star players including Chris Gayle, Lasith Malinga have pulled themselves out from the league and now two players, Sohail Tanvir and Ravinderpal Singh have tested positive for Covid-19.
Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir was signed by Kandy Tuskers as a replacement of Wahab Riaz. He tested positive for Covid-19 soon after he arrived in Sri Lanka.
Canada batsman Ravinderpal Singh, on the other hand, was picked by the Colombo Kings and had tested positive for Covid-19 on the same day.
The two players have been isolated from the rest of the players and are being treated.
“We have to talk to the franchise owners and find somebody to replace Tanvir,” Tuskers head coach Hashan Tillakaratne told ESPNcricinfo on Friday.
If reports to be believed, Tanvir Sohail didn’t come in contact with the fellow players or staff of the franchise. Rest of the players will prepare for the league as planned.
However, according to the reports of ESPNcricinfo, Ravinderpal Singh tested positive for Covid-19 after travelling in the same flight and bus as several other players, including West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell.
Meanwhile, the officials and organisers of the Lanka Premier League have said that Singh’s illness will not affect any other staff member or player.
The inaugural edition of Lanka Premier League will witness five franchisee teams, named after Colombo Kings, Kandy Tuskers, Galle Gladiators, Dambulla Hawks, and Jaffna Stallions competing in 23 matches.
Colombo Kings will take on Kandy Tuskers in the opening match of LPL at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on November 26.
Every day will have doubleheaders till the semi-finals on December 13 and 14, 2020. The final will be played on December 16.
