Former Pakistani legend Wasim Akram will conduct a two-day training program for national players, SLC High Performance Coaches, and the coaches of the major clubs.

In total, Akram, who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning, will conduct five sessions, covering the SLC pace academy, HPC, and major club coaches.

He will also observe Sri Lanka’s national players’ preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The program marks Sri Lanka Cricket’s initiative to bring in the required expertise to enhance the coaching strength of the SLC High Performance Center and the Major Club system in the country.

The decision to invite Akram was taken by the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket headed by Mr. Shammi Silva, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket. His training program will commence on May 2, 2024.

(srilankacricket.lk)

The 5^th edition of the Lanka Premier League 2024 has seen interest from over 500 players from overseas, ready to take the field in the upcoming edition.

Players from 24 cricket-playing nations, including the ones from all the ICC full member nations, have registered for the upcoming player auction and are vying to get picked into one of the five teams in the Lanka Premier League 2024.

Among the key players registered are Tamim Iqbal, Tim Southee, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Jimmy Neesham, Mushfiqur Rahim, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Shai Hope, Taskin Ahmed, Lungi Ngidi. Naseem Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Colin Munro, Ish Sodhi, Mark Chapman, Jason Behrendorff, Andre Fletcher, Oshane Thomas, Keemo Paul and Fabian Allen.

Apart from them, Usman Khawaja, Tabraiz Shamsi, Evin Lewis, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Reece Topley, Iftikhar Ahmad, Mohammad Nawaz, Gulbadin Naib, and Ibrahim Zadran are also among the top players.

The 5th edition of the Lanka Premier League 2024, which is Sri Lanka’s top-most domestic T20 tournament with an international flavor, will be held from July 1^st to 21^st.

The much-awaited auction date will be announced in due course.

(srilankacricket.lk)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced Olympic legend Usain Bolt as an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in the West Indies and USA from 1-29 June 2024.

The announcement comes a few weeks ahead of the start of the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever that will inspire a new generation of fans. Bolt’s global appeal alongside his out of this world athletic achievements and ability to transcend boundaries makes him a perfect fit for the biggest T20 World Cup ever.

Bolt created history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio when he achieved the ‘Triple-Triple’, three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. His journey to worldwide stardom started at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where he won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, all in world record times. 

Bolt currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs. His first world record was in the 100m in 2008 when he posted a time of 9.72 secs in New York. He lowered it to 9.69 secs at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and then to 9.58 secs at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. He holds the three fastest times ever run: 9.58, 9.64 and 9.69 seconds. 

As an ambassador, Bolt will play a key role in promoting the event, starting with a cameo appearance in next week’s release of the event’s official anthem music video alongside iconic artists Sean Paul and Kes. The eight-time Olympic Gold Medallist will also attend T20 World Cup matches in the West Indies and be part of fan engagement events promoting the sport within the United States.

Usain Bolt expressed his excitement about his new role, saying: “I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Coming from the Caribbean where cricket is a part of life, the sport has always held a special place in my heart, and I look forward to attending West Indies matches at the World Cup and making a contribution to the growth of cricket globally.

“While I will of course be supporting West Indies at the World Cup, getting the sport into the US is big for cricket. It’s the biggest sports market in the world and the energy that we will bring for the T20 World Cup is a huge opportunity leading towards cricket’s inclusion in the LA Olympics in 2028.”

ICC Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Allardice said: “Usain Bolt is a global icon, we are thrilled to have him on board as an Ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 to engage with a new generation of fans. His passion for cricket is well known, making him the perfect fit for this role. Alongside his world record breaking achievements and energetic personality, he will add another exciting element to the World Cup.”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to be action packed with Bolt’s presence adding a new level of excitement for fans globally. Fans can look forward to seeing the world’s best teams battle it out for glory, with the World Cup opening match seeing co-host USA taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Saturday 1 June. For full match fixtures and tickets, including hospitality packages in both the West Indies and USA, visit tickets.t20worldcup.com.

(icc-cricket.com)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by icc-cricket.com has not been edited by SLM staff)