Colombo, Oct 22 (NationPress) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has declared on Wednesday that the 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will not take place this year as initially planned. This decision is made to facilitate preparations for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India in February–March next year.

The sixth edition of LPL was slated to commence on December 1, featuring 24 matches, which included 20 league matches and four knockout games scheduled in Colombo, Kandy, and Dambulla. Five franchises would compete against each other twice during the league phase, leading to the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.

The Qualifier 1 would have been contested by the top two teams, with the winner proceeding to the final. The teams finishing third and fourth would clash in the Eliminator, with the victor facing the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 to determine the second finalist.

In a statement, SLC noted that the postponement was made after thorough consideration to ensure that all host venues comply with the International Cricket Council (ICC) standards necessary for the 20-team global event.

“Thus, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has opted to shift the 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) to a more appropriate time slot, allowing full attention to be directed at ensuring comprehensive venue readiness ahead of the World Cup,” the statement said.

“SLC believes this decision will provide sufficient time to enhance and upgrade the ground infrastructure to successfully conduct the tournament in the country,” the statement further elaborated.

SLC has also detailed the improvement initiatives for three venues hosting the T20 World Cup: “Enhance and upgrade spectator stands. Improve and modernize facilities for players, including dressing rooms and training areas. Upgrade and refurbish international broadcast facilities.”

“Enhance media center infrastructure to accommodate the needs of global media coverage. Upgrade general venue requirements for such a multi-national event,” SLC added.

The R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, one of the three designated venues, will also undergo renovation work following its league games in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

“R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, which is one of the three venues that temporarily paused its renovation work to host 11 matches of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, will resume development immediately upon the completion of its scheduled matches,” SLC stated.

–IANS