Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza has joined the Dambulla Sixers for the closing stages of the Lanka Premier League, one of a series of late squad changes across the tournament as the playoff race reaches its final round of matches.
Raza signed as an injury replacement for South African batter Marques Ackerman and joined the squad on July 29, ESPNcricinfo reported. Colombo Gazette described him instead as a replacement for Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi; according to ESPNcricinfo, Farooqi’s departure for national duty with Afghanistan was a separate move that followed Dambulla’s defeat to the Colombo Kaps on Wednesday.
His stay may be brief. Raza made 23 off 25 balls and went wicketless in four overs as Dambulla lost that match — a third straight defeat and a fifth in six games that has left their qualification hopes out of their own hands. Dambulla play their final round-robin fixture, a must-win against the Jaffna Kings, on August 2, but will also need other results to fall their way. The franchise has also added Sonal Dinusha.
The Colombo Kaps confirmed that Ashen Bandara has been drafted in to replace the injured Kusal Mendis, who was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has returned home for national duty and is replaced by compatriot Ripon Mondol. Colombo also announced that Kushal Bhurtel is no longer expected to join, meaning Crishan Kalugamage, previously in the squad on a temporary basis, keeps his place to the end of the season.
Galle Gallants have lost Chris Lynn and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, both of whom left Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Lynn was unable to recover from the injury that cost him games at the start of the tournament, while Mehidy had been scheduled to depart early and is replaced by Australia’s Thomas Rogers.
Earlier changes saw Kavija Gamage replace the injured Vishen Halambage, and the Jaffna Kings bring in Towhid Hridoy after Taskin Ahmed withdrew on national duty. Hridoy has made an immediate impact, striking 35 off 21 and 31 off eight to lift Jaffna off the bottom of the table and into a guaranteed playoff berth.
“The arrival of a player of Sikandar Raza’s calibre further enhances the quality of this year’s tournament,” IPG Group founder and chairman Anil Mohan said in comments carried by Colombo Gazette.