Lanka Premier League Sees 650 Overseas Sign-ups Amid Controversial Social Media Rule
As we gear up for the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), it's impressive to see that over 650 overseas players have registered from 21 different cricketing nations. The draft for the 2026 season is set for June 1, and the tournament will take place from July 17 to August 8. What’s particularly noteworthy is the sheer number of registrations, especially considering the league has recently rolled out one of the most unusual eligibility systems in franchise cricket.
Leading the pack is Pakistan, contributing the highest number of overseas registrations with 102 players. The West Indies follows closely with 75, while South Africa has 66, Bangladesh 48, and New Zealand 41. Australia has 24 registrations, England 15, Ireland 16, and even India has 12 players in the mix. Among the Associate nations, a significant number of entries come from the USA and UAE.
However, not everyone will make the final cut. The LPL has announced that only 310 players will be shortlisted for the draft after a thorough screening process. The high registration numbers become even more fascinating when you consider the LPL’s new social media-based player classification system.
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Now, a player’s follower count is part of the eligibility criteria, meaning that just having a solid cricketing reputation isn’t enough to secure a top spot. To qualify for the prestigious “Icon” category, players need to have played 75 or more T20Is, over 100 franchise T20 matches, at least 30 games in the last 18 months, and boast more than 250,000 social media followers.
The “Star” category has the same follower requirement, while the “Gold” category requires at least 150,000 followers. Even the “Classic” category places importance on a player’s fan base and commercial appeal alongside their playing skills.
This shift highlights how modern franchise leagues are increasingly prioritizing digital engagement, branding, and sponsorship potential. A player with millions of followers can often bring more visibility to teams and broadcasters than a lesser-known cricketer with impressive domestic stats.