Pakistan players were among the notable overseas names selected in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 Player Draft, with Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz and Akif Javed all securing contracts for the tournament’s sixth edition.

A total of 93 local and overseas players were picked by the five franchises, with cricketers from 12 countries set to feature in the competition, which will be played from July 17 to August 8 across Colombo, Dambulla and Pallekele.

Colombo Kaps, Galle Gallants and Kandy Royals utilized the maximum squad size of 20 players, while Jaffna Kings selected 19 players and Dambulla Sixers opted for an 18-player squad. Tournament regulations required each franchise to draft a minimum of 18 players, including two Emerging Under-23 Sri Lankan players, with the option of making up to two additional local signings.

The draft was conducted across five salary categories. Platinum players were valued at US$50,000, Gold at US$30,000 and Classic at US$20,000, with separate allocations for local and overseas cricketers. Associate players were priced at US$15,000, while Emerging Under-23 players carried a value of US$10,000.

Afghanistan’s presence was equally strong, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran among the overseas stars selected. The popularity of Afghan and Pakistani players once again highlighted their growing influence in franchise T20 cricket around the world.

Defending giants Jaffna Kings, winners of four LPL titles, will be joined by Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Gallants and Kandy Royals as the five teams battle for the championship. With squads now finalized, attention turns to the tournament itself as franchises prepare for the opening match on July 17.

Pakistan’s representation will be spread across four franchises. Colombo Kaps secured the services of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris and fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, Dambulla Sixers added pace bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr, Galle Gallants signed all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz and left-arm pacer Akif Javed, while Kandy Royals and Jaffna Kings did not select any Pakistani players in the draft.

Complete squads:

Colombo Kaps

Picked in Player Draft: Binura Fernando (platinum local), Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (platinum overseas), Sadeera Samarawickrama (gold local), Milan Rathnayaka (gold local), Janith Liyanage (gold local), Shahnawaz Dahani (gold overseas), Jeffrey Vandersay (classic local), Thanuka Dabare (classic local), Movin Subasinghe (classic local), Mohammad Haris (classic overseas), Hasan Mahmud (classic overseas), Kushel Bhurtel (associate star), Malsha Tharupati (emerging u23), Sharujan Shanmuganathan (emerging u23), Wanuja Sahan (optional gold), Anthony Pragasam (optional classic)

Pre-signed players: Kusal Mendis (local icon), Kamindu Mendis (local star), Jimmy Neesham (overseas icon), Ben McDermott (overseas star)

Dambulla Sixers

Picked in Player Draft: Maheesh Theekshana (platinum local), Fazalhaq Farooqi (platinum overseas), Niroshan Dickwella (gold local), Pavan Rathnayaka (gold local), Akila Dananjaya (gold local), Mohammad Wasim Jr (gold overseas), Dhananjaya Lakshan (classic local), Ramesh Mendis (classic local), Sachita Jayathilake (classic local), Gulbadin Naib (classic overseas), Dian Forrestor (classic overseas), Shadley van Schalkwyk (associate star), Vishva Kumara (emerging u23), Gayana Weerasinghe (emerging u23)

Pre-signed players: Dushmantha Chameera (local icon), Dinesh Chandimal (local star), Sahibzada Farhan (overseas icon), Reeza Hendricks (overseas star)

Galle Gallants

Picked in Player Draft: Charith Asalanka (platinum local), Mohammad Nawaz (platinum overseas), Pramod Madushan (gold local), Lasith Croospulle (gold local), Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (gold local), Akif Javed (gold overseas), Sahan Archachige (classic local), Chamika Karunaratne (classic local), Tharindu Rathnayaka (classic local), Sam Harper (classic overseas), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (classic overseas), Haider Ali (associate star), Dinura Kalupahana (emerging u23), Uri Koththigoda (emerging u23), Kasun Rajitha (optional gold), Sachindu Colombage (optional classic)

Pre-signed players: Dasun Shanaka (local icon), Eshan Malinga (local star), Rassie van der Dussen (overseas icon), Litton Das (overseas star)